Awa Paper Tradition in new age With a history of 1,300 years, the paper of the Awa region is unique among the numerous papermaking traditions of Japan. The brightness, clarity, and charm of Awa paper give it a distinguished place in today's traditional craft industries and provides a foundation for future generations to take delight in this beautiful material. Mr Minoru Fujimori is a legendary Designated Master Craftsman. Mr Fujimori has retired, and his son now has taken over the responsibility of the papermaking and the business. Mr Fujimori reminisces, "I was the radio operator on a freighter during the war. With the war's end and the destruction of both Tokyo and Osaka, I was unable to find work, so I returned here and took up the family papermaking craft. At that time, we made paper for shoji screens and also Japanese umbrellas, which we could sell immediately. This success gave us a degree of security in a troubled time." "In the 1950s, with the strengthening of Japan's economy, large paper mills increased production, and traditional makers of handmade paper here in Yamakawa-cho stopped production one after another. Naturally, this situation was a cause for much worry. We had to start thinking about ways to meet the future. I thought that however beautiful, paper is only a bit player. Unless paper has function, it has no value. Unless the end user is carefully considered, a paper business will fail. This way of thinking was a radical change from the traditional papermaker's. I thought that if I could not make a success of the family craft, then I could not be successful at anything. I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff." In the 1960s, Mr Fujimori developed the idea for a production of creative new types of paper, targeted at hobbyists and craftspeople. Indigo-dyed and colored papers were made to develop new markets. While respecting the power and importance of the papermaking tradition, Mr Fujimori successfully met the demands of the time and was able to utilize the craft tradition to insure his and the craft's survival. A sense for business as well as the integrity of the craft was necessary at this time. If Mr Fujimori had been a craftsman wedded inflexibly to the tradition of the past, he probably would have quit making paper. He thus does not like to be considered a mere craftsman. Meeting the demands and flow of change, Mr Fujimori weathered the vicissitudes of the times both for his own company and for the papermaking of the Awa region and emerged as a leader of the Awa papermaking tradition. He is justly proud of his role. Meeting the challenge of new products New paper products for home interiors The innovative spirit of the postwar years is shared by today's young generation of papermakers. Some examples of such innovation in this traditional craft are: custom orders for special types of handmade paper; incorporation of metal wire supports in a paper matrix to make large paper constructions (as ordered by an Osaka restaurant). Mother and daughter, two generations of washi craftspersons The smiling visage of Sadako Ueda, Designated Master Craftsperson Regarding the future of custom-made paper interior products, Ms Sadako Ueda, a well-known designer and Designated Master Craftsperson, has used Awa paper products for over two decades for her original paper designs. "I have never felt that what I do is difficult. Without creative activities, a person will atrophy. I love handmade paper and papermaking techniques, and working with this material is pure pleasure." Ms Ueda said with a smile. Whether making paper or designing new interior paper products, Ms Ueda exemplifies the modern approach to traditional crafts. Ms Ueda's daughter also entered the world of handmade paper after watching her mother at work. Mother and daughter both have embraced the challenge of creating new things in the context of Awa's traditional paper craft. The future of Awa paper is brightened by the talents of these two artistic people. "I have come from Tokyo to study traditional paper making." A 21st century craftsperson, Ms Tamiko Kudo Ms Tamiko Kudo, who is adept at traditional papermaking techniques, manages the Awagami Factory. She originally came from Tokyo to attend a hands-on seminar on traditional papermaking and decided to settle in Yamakawa-cho. Of course, she has mastered all the techniques involved in traditional papermaking. Ms Kudo and other contemporary craftspeople can now be encountered in Yamakawa-cho, and numerous artists and designers from around the world today are attracted to Awa and its paper.