Making Awagami Paper in Takamatsu

Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 continued.
This morning, we left the big city of Nagoya.  The architecture there was fantastic.

Although it is mid January, we are pleased to see that many Christmas lights and decorations are still up.  Also amazed that flowers are still blooming!

One construction that impressed me is this ramp/stairway made for bicycle riders.  How ingenious!

We spent the morning traveling from the city to the country, by bullet train, regular train, and then by coach.  Along the way, I was able to capture a few interesting sights:

As we neared our destination, we saw this bridge held up by a clothespin.

The bus driver let us off, and we walked a short distance to the paper making factory.

Inside, we had a delightful experience:
1.  making our own paper postcards using pulp from mulberry trees
2.  watching the pros making huge sheets of washi paper
3.  looking around the factory and gift shop
4.  enjoying a display of children's art cards

                                This is in the entry area of the factory.

 This is the young man who instructed us.  The small tray he holds has a flat bamboo insert.  You dip the tray into the vat of COLD slurry, swish and dip 3 times, and then you  proceed to an area where you could add color to your designs.  They then removed the tray, and dried our papers while we strolled around the factory. 

 Each of us made three cards.  Here is one of mine in the very wet stage, a blue cat. 

Here is our instructor, working on drying our creations. 

I was interested to watch the pros, who were making large sheets of the washi paper.

I went upstairs to get a different view:  This gentleman is continuing to dry our pieces.

                                       Squeegeeing excess water.

                                           
                             Stirring the slurry. Getting ready to make another giant sheet of paper.

                                       
                                     Part of our group in those COLD vats!!!

                 
                          Here is a large paper kite that hangs upstairs.

                        And a few of my favorites from the display of children's cards:

                              
                                                   It was a marvelous experience.

My next post will show you some images gathered from 'people watching' at the train station and along the way today. Sayonara for now!