Classes are held every Thursday morning from 10:30 to 12:00.
Chigiri-e is a Japanese art of tearing washi paper (made from mulberry tree pulp) into small pieces, and pasting them together to make a picture. The inherent properties of the washi are utilized to highlight textures and subtle color variations of the subject being depicted. Traditionally, the torn washi is pasted on shikishi (a stiff bordered and decorated square of dense cardboard). Handmade washi papers are made only in certain villages deep within the green mountains of Japan where very pure spring water is used.
When creating chigiri-e, we strive to make the most of the individual variations in each sheet of washi paper, by tearing the washi without the aid of anything but our fingers. In addition to cultivating beautiful artwork, we benefit from the maintenance of our manual dexterity.
With chigiri-e it is easy to change colors: simply re-apply new strips of washi until the desired color is achieved. The variations in the thickness of individual sheets of washi, and the layering of different strips of washi, create a unique work that combines the brilliant colors of watercolor paintings with the textures of oil paintings.
The class is being taught by Mrs. Noriko Nakagawa. Mrs. Nakagawa received the outstanding volunteer award on May 15, 2004.
