The Arts: Washi

Hello followers!

I'm sure we're all curious to know how the students are doing.

The program is in full swing now with plenty of studying, preparing for class presentations, and exploring the sprawling city.

I can't believe that our time in Tokyo is already halfway finished!

This week the students have had a chance to get up close and personal with some very uniquely Japanese art forms.

Our excursions took us into the world of both traditional and modern crafts where we had the rare oppurtunity to have real craftsmen show us how their work is made.

Washi is a particulalry strong, time tested type of paper used over generations for everyday and ceremonial uses.

The students were very lucky to try this first hand and many enjoyed practicing Japanese by writing their names on their very own washi paper. We found new words, learned cultural practices, and of course shopped for souvenirs!

Check in next time for our report on the kids' encounter with the Japanese contemporary artform, manga!!