Washi Envelopes – Sumi

A washi, Japanese paper envelopes made in Kagoshima by the hands of people living with intellectual disabilities.

£10 per item

This Japanese paper envelope is one of many products created at the Shobu Gakuen support centre in Kagoshima, which offers a safe, welcoming environment for people with learning disabilities, and which promotes interaction with local communities through collaboration, and creative and cultural activities. These washi envelopes were made in workshops in papermaking studios, part of Shobu Gakuen’s mission to support independent work and creative expression. To create washi, a viscous substance made from plants is added to a pulp mixture made from plant fibres and water, then placed onto a bamboo-netted frame screen that is rocked back and forth and from side to side so that the mixture flows over the screen. Differences in motion produce washi of varying texture.

There may be individual difference as each piece is handmade.

Size: approx. L21.5 cm x W15.6 cm

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Kyūshū and Okinawa
Region

Kyūshū and Okinawa

九州・沖縄

This is Japan’s south-west region including the island of Kyūshū and the sub-tropical island chain of Okinawa. Kyūshū was an early centre of Japanese civilization, and offers many historic treasures, modern cities and volcanic natural beauty. It is home to the ports of Kagoshima, Nagasaki and Fukuoka, the porcelain manufacturing centre in Arita and the Tanegashima Space Center launch site.

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Shōbu Gakuen
Producer

Shōbu Gakuen

しょうぶ学園

Located in Kagoshima Prefecture, Shōbu Gakuen is a organisation that supports people with learning disabilities. In their day care centres, the first of which was opened in 1999, Shōbu Gakuen provides not only space for people to come together and collaborate, but also enables programmes which foster creative expression through woodworking, pottery, music and performance.

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The story...

Washi

This strong, thin paper is used not only for books, drawings, and paintings, but also as a material for architecture and everyday items.

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Washi