The Art of Washi Paper in Japanese Rare Books

FutureLearn The Art of Washi Paper in Japanese Rare Books

Platform
FutureLearn
Provider
Keio University
Effort
3 hours/week
Length
2 weeks
Language
English
Credentials
Paid Certificate Available
Course Link
Overview
Deepen your understanding of rare books and Japanese culture
The papers inside books can last hundreds of years if cared for correctly.

This course will look at the history of papers used inside Japanese rare books, and in other cultures across the world.

You’ll learn about the materials and technologies used to produce Japanese papers, particularly the use of traditional washi paper.

You’ll understand the crafting process used to create Japanese rare books, including the use of design and decoration techniques.

You’ll find out how to identify the different types and varieties of papers used in Japanese rare books.

This course is aimed at anyone interested in Japanese rare books and papers. It may be of particular interest to librarians and bookshop professionals, researchers and designers.

The course makes use of a number of visual resources which may unfortunately make some of the activities not accessible to learners with a visual impairment. Course videos are provided in Japanese with English subtitles.

This course can also be studied alongside two companion courses, Japanese Culture Through Rare Books and Sino-Japanese Interactions Through Rare Books.

What topics will you cover?
In Week 1:
  • How to categorize washi paper.
  • How the washi paper is crafted.
  • What kind of materials are used to make washi.
  • What you can tell by examining washipaper.
  • The history of washi
In Week 2:
  • How the washi is colored.
  • How to decorate washi during the sheet-forming process
  • Gorgeous papers decorated with minerals and fabrics
  • Even more variety of decoration such as embossing and shita-e

Taught by
Takahiro Sasaki
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Author
FutureLearn
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