Experience making washi.  Learn about how the materials are made and the process of making washi.

Learn methods of making creative art with Washi. Washi artists welcomes everyone, from beginners to professionals interested in creating artwork with traditional Japanese washi. 

Workshops avalable for the traditional Japanese woodblock print technique Mokuhanga. Learn this intensely manual art form that was used to produce mass images in antiquity. 

Print your photos on Washi and make your own photo book with Japanese traditional book binding technique. (4-hole book or accordion book). Watoji, or Japanese bookbinding, is a simple, elegant method for creating unique soft and hardcover books used in Japan since 800 AD.  Learn the basic skills of traditional Japanese book binding and expand your creativity as you make your own books.

Learn calligraphy for writing the book title and more in Japanese.

Richard Flavin was a renowned American washi artisan and printmaker. He and his wife Ryoko renovated this house using various types of handmade Washi he made and reused old washi on walls, doors, cabinets, and the floor. His private washi book collection and the various washi and woodblock prints he worked on are also displayed. Richard passed away a few years ago and his wife Ryoko wishes to share this rich resource with others.

Our services include arranging and combining programs and accommodation of your choice in the area and customizing program details to suit your preferences. 

-　Program Planning & Coordination: 
Our services include program planning, coordination and arrangements that require bilingual communication in advance for the participants to meet craft persons and washi artists in Ogawa and nearby areas you may never encounter otherwise. 

The services also offer, should the schedule be made available, to meet you at Ogawa-Machi Station on your arrival, provide orientation of the area, and assist in communication during your visit, as well as to provide Ogawa Washi samples.  

A zoom meeting(s) can also be arranged before finalizing plans, to tailor the program to your artistic interests and needs.

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-     On site Interpretation:

Should you require interpretation during your workshops and tours, we can arrange for interpretation service.

・Thank you for making this dream journey of mine into a reality. Your help has been invaluable, and I could never had done it without you. I am overwhelmed by the amount of wonderful experiences and memories that Japan has brought to me.

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・The highlight of the trip was definitely the stay here. -- learning about the amazing Mokuhanga and Washi techniques. We got in depth tutorials of traditional Washi making. From mixing the bath of paper pulp and learning about the trees that its made from, learning the techniques of forming the paper and methods of drying. Learning such an important craft from masters who had been keeping the tradition alive was very inspiring.

・We were delighted by the high standard of the facilities and teaching knowledge, which enabled us to achieve so much in a short timeframe. The immediate surroundings, which included eateries, a farmers’ market, quality gift shop and beautiful gardens and accommodations, provided an ideal environment in which to work. Students and staff alike felt honored and privileged to be learning these ancient skills from such knowledgeable and generous practitioners, in such beautiful surroundings. Thank you for an unforgettable learning and cultural experience. Our time here exceeded our expectations and greatly enriched our experience of Japan.