What a chorus of cicadas can be heard at this time!

The 39th Japanese Culture Experience Workshop: Making Good-luck Daruma with Washi paper was held in July. 

The instructor was Ms. Kumiko Hiura and we enjoyed making our original Daruma feeling the appeal of washi, the traditional Japanese paper.

Washi has the history over 1400 years and is one of the traditional Japanese cultures that can be proud of to the world.

It is made of plants such as Kozo, Mitsumata, and Ganpi. Because of its strength and beauty, washi has been used everywhere like housing and tools in Japan. For example, Shoji (sliding paper door), Shodo (Japanese calligraphy), Chochin (paper lantern) and umbrella.

Once I touched washi paper, I felt the natural warmth and craftsman’s passion.

Japanese have associated Daruma with good-luck charm for a long time and display it with wishes such as their personal achievement or business prosperity, safety and health of their family.

During this workshop, we created Good-luck Daruma by choosing our favorite colors of washi and applying them on Daruma.

At first, we chose our favorite colors of washi, and then tore them off with hands, and put them on Daruma base with glue.

I concentrated on the work enjoying thinking the combination of delicate colors.

After covering the daruma base with washi, we drew eyes, eyebrows, beard and mouth with paint.

We decorated it with their imagination. I was impressed with unique ideas like wearing glasses, putting heir with washi. What a wonderful variety of works!

I enjoyed viewing their works which stand out for their distinct facial expressions and colors.

Although we used the same materials, the completed works have their own taste.

When we lined up our works, I heard various comments and impression were flying around.

“How cute it is!” “I like this face!”

At our workshop, we value the experience of traditional Japanese culture while understanding its history, craftsmanship and the instructor’s passion.

I trust that all of the participants had a great time feeling washi’s appeal and the depth of Japanese culture.

Thank you very much for your participation!

Thank you very much for guiding us, Ms. Hiura!