International Mokuhanga Conference, Echizen — Japan 2024
In April 2024, I travelled to Japan to participate in the 5th International Mokuhanga Conference in Echizen, where I presented an artistic project created with natural plant dyes that I had extracted myself. The conference offered an inspiring space for exchange around mokuhanga, washi, colour, and material-based artistic research.
The visit also included workshops and meetings with artists and craftspeople working with traditional Japanese materials and techniques. I explored papermaking and dōsa preparation, woodturning, ceramics, wood-fired kilns, and the production of sumi ink. I was also invited to visit Joshibi University of Art and Design, Tokyo University of the Arts—including its Ueno and Toride campuses—and artists’ studios, where I encountered practices connected with Nihonga, pigments, ceramics, printmaking, and contemporary approaches to Japanese craft traditions.
Fuji San
Visiting Joshibi University of Art and Design—Japan's first art institution established for women—with Professor Kouan Hashimoto in his fascinating pigment studio.
Presenting my project Ephemeral Paintings, created with natural plant dyes and pigments, at the 5th International Mokuhanga Conference in Echizen.
At the portfolio presentation during the Mokuhanga Conference in Echizen, with Matthew Garcia and his fantastic prints!
Dōsa-making workshop—learning how to prepare the traditional sizing solution used in Japanese printmaking.
Materials and ingredients used to prepare dōsa, a traditional sizing solution for Japanese paper.
Dōsa-making workshop—preparing the traditional sizing solution and applying it to Japanese paper.
Mokuhanga workshop with the fantastic artist and my friend Kate Fraser, exploring traditional Japanese water-based woodblock printing.
Visiting a traditional woodturning workshop in Echizen, where handcrafted wooden vessels are made.
At the Fūraigama pottery workshop in Echizen with ceramic artist Uichirō Ōya.
The traditional wood-fired kiln at the Fūraigama pottery workshop in Echizen.
Yasuyuki Sato speaking at the opening session of the 5th International Mokuhanga Conference in Echizen.
A handcrafted sumi ink stick, made using traditional Japanese techniques /Echizen/
Sumi ink sticks hanging to dry—a slow and meticulous stage of the traditional production process.
Visiting a traditional sumi ink workshop with Kate Fraser.
A rainy day on the streets of Nara.
One of the monumental wooden Niō guardian statues at Tōdai-ji Temple in Nara.
Cherry blossom season near Kōfuku-ji Temple in Nara.
Breakfast with a view over Echizen and the surrounding mountains.
Everyday street life in Tokyo, beneath the elevated railway tracks.
Exploring the architecture of Tokyo University of the Arts, Toride Campus, with Utako Shindo.
Utako Shindo's ceramic works in her studio at Tokyo University of the Arts, Toride Campus.
Inside Akira Shimojo's ceramic studio at Tokyo University of the Arts, Toride Campus.
With Utako Shindo and ceramic artist Akira Shimojo beside the traditional wood-fired kilns at Tokyo University of the Arts, Toride Campus.
Inside the Nihonga painting studio (traditional Japaneese Painting) at Tokyo University of the Arts.
Exploring traditional Nihonga techniques and materials at Tokyo University of the Arts.