Background
It was 1933, when 50-year-old Dard Hunter arrived in Japan to conduct his research on Japanese papers (washi). It was also this time that he encouraged leaders of washi industry and opinion
leaders of promoting washi. For fifty years since Dard Hunter, in spite of many attempts to preserve the traditions of washi, the production continued declining and many
papermakers had disappeared during this time.
In 1978, the World Craft Council was held in Kyoto, whose aim was to promote traditional crafts including washi and create a platform for cultural exchange and encounters internationally.
With aid from the government as well as organizations around the country, this became a successful gathering that led to the internationalization of Japanese craft industry and enlightenment
within Japan. Due to the success of the Council, Kyoto became the driving force for international events on cultural matters.
Around the same time in 1976 in the U.S., Jane Farmer curated”New American Paperworks
which traveled worldwide and was scheduled to come to Japan. The increased interest in Japanese papers was evident from the Washi Symposium held in Hawaii in 1978. When the exhibition was
scheduled for 1983, there was much demand for a paper conference, which led to the IPC ‘83 held in Kyoto. More than 500 participants from 18 different countries gathered to exchange information,
techniques, artworks and debate over the future of hand made paper and innovative ideas. In 1988 Japan Paper Academy was born as a result of the International Conference, with the mission of
establishing global networks and promoting paper cultures around the world.
Members; individual, cooperate, sponsor Honorary member;Bunsyo Jyugaku
Executive comittee
President; Dr. Seishi Machid1988~2000 , Honorary president
Dr. Fumihiko Onabe 2000~2006
Vice President;Dr, Mitukuni Yosida, 、Shin Yagihasi, Hirosi Inagaki, Ryuichi Kotani
2006~now PhD., Seishi Namiki、Yasutaka Morita
Director; Tomita Takasi, Yoshiko Suzuki, Kyoko Ibe
Activities
Yearly assemblies, conducting study groups for paper culture, arranging tours, hosting/curating of exhibitions, organizing international conferences, publishing, maintaining relationships with
individuals and groups related to the paper culture internationally
1988
Chose works from Japan, Korea and Singapore for the 2nd International Paper Art Biennale organized by Leopold Hoesh Museum , Germany.
Dispatch Kyoko Ibe as a member of the jury for the competition of Biennale
Published official publication「kami 」No1, No2
1889
Organized traveling exhibition of the 2nd International Paper Art Biennale, Kyoto Museum, Tokyo and Tokushima, Published catalogue※1
Paper Conference’89 Kyoto, Dialogue tradition craft and Contemporary art
Published official publication「kami」No3, No4
1990
Dispatch a member of the jury for the 3rd International paper Art Biennale
Chose works from Japan and send them to the museum
Published official publication「kami」No5,
1991
collaborated on the exhibition「paper has a possibility」which traveled 4 cities in Finland
Founded Japan Paper Academy Award
1)Academic study;Reisaburou Ooe
2)Science and Technology; Traditional papermaking Tool study group
3)Art and Craft;Kenji Takahashi
4)International Promotion of Paper culture; Awa washi traditional papermaking museum
Special Award Ryuichi Kotani ( Chairman of IPC'83KYOTO committee)
Published official publication「kami」No6,No7,No8
1992
Paper Academy Course「Kami-Proposal of 7 top experts of paper culture」
Book published from Shibunkaku Shuppan
2nd Paper Academy Award
1)Yasuo Kume
2)Hazime Nakamura
3)Akira Kurosaki
4)Eiichi Takeo
Published official publication「kami」No9,No10,No11
1993
Organized exhibition 「Japanese contemporary paperworks」
Montoriol city gallery
Paper Academy Course: Science version 「Paper now in the society」
3rd Japan Paper Academy Award
1)Ryousei Kobayashi
2)Keisuke Yoshida
3) Hisashi Kanome
Published official publication「kami」No12
1994
Paper Academy Course 「Toward International Paper Symposium」
4th Paper Academy Award
2)Ikkou Aochi
3) Kouryou Baba
4)Aiko Nakane
Special Award ;IAPMA executive committee
Published official publication「kami」Special Issue、No12
1995
International Paper Symposium’95 ※2
Paper Road from the origin to the future
5th Paper Academy Awaed
2) Tadao Endou
3) Sigeru Bann
4) Sadako Sakurai Yasuo Morita
Published official publication「kami」No14,No15
1996
Organized Exhibition 「Soul and Skill of Washi Masters」in Miyako Messe
Final Report of IPS’95「Paper Road From the Origin to the Future」
Published from Wagami dou
Published official publication「kami」No16
1997
Lecture「Washi Collection in German National Library in Leipzig」
7th Paper Academy Award
2)shigeru Ozaki
4) kenzou kamei Toyoo Seike
Published official publication「kami」No17
1998
Organized Exhibition「Washi in 19c」 Imadate Art Hall, KIT Museum,
Tokyo and Kochi
Catalogue Published ※3
Symposium 「Washi in 19c」 Goethe Institute, Kyoto
8th Paper Academy Award
1)Shinji Hirose
2)Sayoko Furuta
4)Dr, Frieder Schmitte
Special award; Momoyo Kaifu, Haru Nakano
Published official publication「kami」No18,No19,No20
1999
「Washi in 19c」Tokyo Tabaco and Salt Museum
Lecture 「Washi and my family」Akiko Jyugaku
「kami」No21,No22
2000
「Milestone of Washi」 Author Dr, Seishi Mashida Published from Tankousha
Lecture and party commemorate the publishing
Published official publication「kami 」No23,No24
2001
Symposium「Washi in 21c」,Tokyo University Yayoi Hall
Published official publication「kami」No25
2002
Research presentation ,Tokyo University Yayoi Hall
Exhibition「Paper Artist in Echizen area,」Grandship Shizuoka(co-sponsored by Japan TAPPI)
2003
Research Presentation, Tokyo University Yayoi Hall
2004
Internationa lPaper Conference’04「Globalization of Washi」 ,
Organized International Paper Art exhibition
Kyoto International house
Published official publication「 kami」No26
2005
Project 「Paper Now―2005」Exhibition in KIT Museum
Workshop by William Khol, Lynn Sure and Ahmed Kadori
2006
Project「Paper Now―2006」「Forum of book」 Exhibition in Terra Gallery、Workshop by Robert Roesh and Suzanne Horvitz
Lecture in Tokyo Paper Museum
Published official publication「kami」No27,No28
2007
Lesture, Research Presentation, KIT Lecture room
Published official publication「kami」No29,No30
2008
Lecture, Research Presentation, KIT lecture room
Published official publication「kami」No31
2009
「Kanyagami in Heian Kyo」Author Dr, Seishi Machida published from Kyoto Newspaper Publishing Department
Published official publication「kami」No32
2010
Tour to Jyugaku Libruary in Sugiwara Kami Research center
Published official publication「kami」No33
2011
Lecture, research presentation in Kyoto Fukusi Kaikan
Published official publication「kami」No34
2012
Lecture, tour to Benridou, coro.type Printing company
Published official publication「kami」No35
2013
「Paper―Past, Present and Future」Published from Syibunkan Publishing Company(Kyoto)
Vision for the future
The foundation of Japan Paper Academy was built on the traditional Japanese paper culture, and the clear mission was to reconstruct and innovate Japan's paper culture for the present
and future.
After a quarter of a century, the Japan Paper Academy has decided to enter a brief hiatus period. Facing with the information revolution of our time, the swiftness of paperless transmission of
information has questioned over the main function of paper as an information carrier. However, we are confident that the value of paper in the wide range of culture is impenetrable and absolute.
It is the task of paper experts in the next generation to discuss and confirm the new roles of paper for the future. With these processes in mind, we hope a new method of promoting paper
culture will be established with a stronger correspondence to the ubiquitous and global society of today and future.
Spring 2014
Japan Paper Academy
Honorable President; Dr, Seishi Machida
Vice President; Dr, Seishi Namiki
Yasutaka
Morita
Advisor; Dr. Fumihiko Onabe
Note
※1,2,3 are bilingual. Available on request through web
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