Hi, everyone!
I just returned from a two-week trip to Japan to attend the KIWA
(Kyoto International Woodprint Assoc.) Exhibition in Kyoto. Last
summer I made my husband, Katsumi, promise that if I won a prize, we
would go back to Japan together (after 28 years). He thought it was a
safe bet but good fortune was with me and I won the JAWK I prize.
While at the Museum, I saw the work of several of our baren members
and will try to email photos from the exhibit to those members
eventually. I also plan to post the exhibit photos and will let you
know when those are ready. It was a fabulous show. Richard and
Kimiko Steiner welcomed us graciously and warmly into the KIWA
family. I left feeling totally inspired and grateful to be a part of
a wonderful woodcut community. All the prize winning woodcuts can
be viewed at the KIWA site:
http://kiwa.net/
One of the highlights of our trip was spending a day at the beautiful
country home of David and Akiko Stones. David and I studied with
Tokuriki Sensei in Kyoto around the same time in the 70's. We also
happened to work for the same English-teaching company (Richard
Steiner, too) but never knew each other until we met through the
Baren Forum. (Thank you!) David's work is stunning, absolutely
beautiful . . . but he needs to make more prints and my plan is to
bug him until he does. From talking with David, and through
conversations with others, I learned Japan is a difficult environment
for an artist to show and sell work. I returned with a greater
appreciation for the business opportunities available through art
festivals, Open Studios, galleries, etc. in the States. Anyway, it
was an idyllic visit. Katsumi and I are still talking about buying
land adjacent to the Stones so Katsumi could play in the water
rushing down from the mountains and David and I could make our own
"mokuhanga valley". For a treat, please visit David's site:
http://
home1.catvmics.ne.jp/~dvs4hanga2/english/frame2.html
Another highlight was a day's visit with papermakers Kazuo and Kinuko
Yamaguchi. I hope to get a photo-report of that visit on my
website, too, but my "to do" list is kind of long so it will take a
while. Meanwhile, here's a link to David Bull's visit :
http://
woodblock.com/encyclopedia/entries/008_06/008_06.html I left the
Yamaguchi home feeling such respect for them, their incredibly hard
work and the craft. Their paper is more valuable than gold to me and
being able to use it is truly a privilege.
Please forgive me for not participating in the discussions in the
Forum. I admire all of those who give their time and help so
generously. Welcome to all the new members and my best to all.
Lynita
Lynita Shimizu
Pomfret, CT
http://shimizuwoodcuts.com/