Upon a Fold

flóra vági... September 21, 2011

Amazing paper brooches and other objects by Flóra Vági.

paper & tokyo - chiaki morita's studio... September 14, 2011

The studio’s entrance.

Chiaki at work and the view from outside her studio.

Beautiful and delicate pieces now ready for drying.
A collection of spools carry Chiaki’s handmade paper.
Amazing huh?
A paper feature wall inside the studio.

Yep, even the curtains are made of paper!

Lace work paper style.
Matt and Chiaki unraveling one of her larger pieces.
Two of Chiaki’s handmade pieces now available in the shop.
It has been a while between posts. Sorry. just. so. flat. out. right. now! I have been wanting to show you this beautiful space I visited on my last trip to Japan, for ages now! It is the creative space of Chiaki Morita; my absolute favourite papermaking artist from Japan, who creates the most intricate and amazing pieces from handmade washi.

Chiaki Morita was originally trained in metalworking and after finishing her studies she went on to making metal-based accessories and objects. Her love affair with paper came afterwards when she started experimenting with washi and realised that it could be made with simple, natural and readily available materials from home. In the yard out the back of her studio is a thriving kozo bush which is the main ingredient for making washi. Add water and a plant derived binding liquid called Neri and one has all one needs to start making washi from home.

Chiaki makes her own washi that she uses to create intricate works of paper art. Her studio is filled with beautiful finished pieces and intriguing works in progress. Handmade washi appears everywhere. It was there in the form of curtains, room dividers, window shades, sliding doors, hanging lights, art and decorative pieces. This space truly was a wonderful world of washi.

As I looked around and soaked in my surroundings, I realised that this was very much a simple and self-sustaining set-up. I then pictured my own space back home with all its technological interferences and somewhat complicated and bustling city living vibes and promised myself to simplify things once I returned home.

Chiaki talked about the warmth of washi and I understood her completely. I have always felt a strong connection with paper as a material that I understand and know and feel comforted by. Perhaps that’s why this space felt so right. No entangled wires, computer screens, printers, phones, noisy neighbours, cars… etc. Just paper, tools, books and drawing materials, kozo, country air, quietness and a very cute cat.

Not only did I get to visit the beautiful studio space that day, I was also given beautiful works of art to take home. They are paper tapestries that Chiaki makes and they are the prettiest pieces ever. I was also able to organise some of Chiaki’s works to be available in the shop – YAY! Also if you want to see more of Chiaki’s work and studio, it features heavily throughout this book about artisans and handicrafts.

images © upon a fold

daniel carlsten... September 6, 2011

Yum! Delicious and delightful paper creations by Daniel Carlsten.

paper clip play... August 30, 2011

See more of Tim Sterling’s work here and be sure to check out this pencil piece.

pictures on pencils... August 30, 2011

Above: Falcor (son of). Below: Tintin Dream

Pencil Pine; God Amongst Insects.

Bike Ride To Leave.

Left: Leaving Pencil Forest. Right: At Werk.

Left: G-r-r-r-reat Umbrella. Right: Seaside Killing.

Left: A Book Is Good. Right: Wolvien Converse.

The most beautifully illustrated pencil sets by Melbourne based artist Ghostpatrol.

petra storrs... August 26, 2011

I discovered the paper work of Petra Storrs via Mr Yen’s blog today. Thank you Jonathan! Wow, Petra creates the most magical set and costume designs using paper. See more of her work here and see her paper set come to life here.

paper & tokyo - baishinka... August 25, 2011

Above: Gift wrapping the Baishinka way. Below: Beautiful windows throughout.

The Baiten is where the sweetest gifts can be purchased.

Seasonal sweets come packaged in gift boxes and ready for giving.

The entrance to Baishinka and the garden.

Beautiful details throughout.

Bite-sized beauties (Hitokuchi-gashi) made from local and seasonal produce.

I covet this cabinet, I do!

Handmade Wagashi.

‘Suiteki’ (Water droppers) designed by Shinichiro Ogata.

Inside Baishinka’s Sabo.

The communal table and garden view from inside the Sabo.

There are beautiful antique pieces everywhere. This was one of my favourites.

The sliding door to the Sabo.

More amazing garden views.

The street entrance.

The gallery space with many of Ogata’s designs.

This stone is Baishinka’s way of saying ‘no entry’. Good thing I didn’t step over it!
Remember the amazing Tokyo tea house I blogged about called ori HIGASHIYA? You know, the one with the amazing folded paper feature wall? It was stunning but this Tokyo tea house I recently visited called Baishinka REALLY took my breath away! Both are the beautiful creations of Shinichiro Ogata from Simplicity in Japan.

Finding this place was a bit tricky and that’s because it’s tucked away in a residential Tokyo neighbourhood. Actually the property was once a private dwelling but it has since been transformed into this truly remarkable tea house (Sabo), wagashiya (sweets shop), gallery and restaurant. The Japanese garden that surrounds the property is picture perfect and can be admired from every room inside the house. I especially loved the plum trees – they were the inspiration for the name Baishinka meaning ‘the heart of the plum’.

There are so many reasons to love Baishinka. First is the beautiful Sabo. It’s the room behind the large wooden sliding door where delicious food and drink are meticulously prepared and served throughout the day. Our friend Ayako ordered for Matt and I the most pure and health-giving Japanese tea. I’d never had anything like it before. We also enjoyed Hitokuchi-gashi (bite-sized sweets). We sat, we ate, we drank and soaked in the views. This place is really something.

Another thing I love about Baishinka is the Baiten. It’s the place to go to buy beautifully packaged sweets. Baishinka offers the most colourful and delicious range of Jō namagashi – a moist and fresh sweet inspired by the seasons, and usually reserved for special tea ceremonies. They honestly look too good to eat! But I did eat them and they were delicious! Amazingly at night the Baiten area disappears (thanks to moveable and removable fixtures) and turns into a hallway, leading guests from the Sabo to the restaurant at night. Oh yes, did I mention the restaurant? Yakumo Saryo comes to life at night when Baishinka is ready for its nights rest.

The highlight for me was the gallery area. On display was a selection of Ogata’s homewares collection. Is there anything this man can’t design?! The space also hosts a series of small exhibitions throughout the year. I seriously could not take my eyes off those bronze ‘Suiteki’ – Water droppers (image above). I think they are used for adding drops of water to an inkstone, maybe? Yet another thing to add to my wishlist. Ooooh how the list grows!

Baishinka is one of those places that makes me want to move to Tokyo.
Beautiful interiors and product aside; this place offers a truly peaceful escape where stillness and quiet contemplation (two of my favourite things btw :) are possible, even amongst friends.

Baishinka
3-4-7 Yakumo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo.
Tel: 03-5731-1620
Map here.

images © upon a fold

paper & tokyo - nishiogi shiten + paperwood... August 23, 2011

On the weekend I was departing Tokyo a new paper shop was opening its doors, so sadly I missed out on visiting it. Next trip for sure!

Nishiogi Shiten is filled with all my favourite paper products and even the shelves, tables, desks, ladders, stools and door frames in the shop are made of Paper-Wood!

Full Swing have designed so many wonderful products with Paper-Wood, including the blocks and pencils above. I can’t wait to visit this shop next time I’m in Tokyo.

sachiyo nakamura exhibition in tokyo... August 22, 2011

Below: Sachiyo Nakamura, Yoko Noguchi & gallery owner Sadaaki Hino.
This is a Tenugui exhibition we visited when we were in Tokyo. Tenugui is a traditional Japanese woven cloth made of cotton and it’s used for all sorts of things.

This exhibition at Gallery Frasco in Kagurazaka showcased the beautiful work of artist Sachiyo Nakamura. She is one of many artists involved in a wonderfully creative project called Tenukore. Tenukore is a collaborative project and its aim is to revive the tradition of Tenugui by producing new and original designs by Japan’s top designers. The range is vibrant, contemporary and well-crafted and it’s made in Japan using traditional methods.

I’ve added a few of my favourite Tenugui designs to the shop, including one from the Tenukore range. But I’ll be adding lots more and doing my bit to revive the Tenugui tradition, all the way from here in Oz! Enjoy :)

before running away from home... August 22, 2011

Before Running Away From Home by Yoshikazu Yamagata for writtenafterwards.