Mr.Senda’s printing studio
On a rainy day in February, a national holiday in Japan, we were very lucky to be welcomed by the 11th head of the Karacho family, Mr. Kenkichi Senda. He is the only remaining craftsperson in Kyotoproducing traditional kara-kami (literally means ‘chinese paper’) prints. Though not directly related to the Yohji Yamamoto exhibition, I thought I’d share some the pictures of this amazing way of printing paper that was adopted from China in the 8th century and has been passed down from generation to generation in the Karacho family since the 1500s!
A few of more than 600 woodblocks (Hangi) created over the last 500 years
Mr. Senda showing us the date and name of the craftsperson who carved this hangi
Rolls and rolls of Japanese washi paper – paradise if you are a stationary geek like me!
Pigments used to create the water-based colour for the print
Brushes used to colour the furui (circular frame with cloth)
Furui and paint ready to go
Mr. Senda at work pressing the coloured furui against the woodblock followed by the paper to create the kara-kami print