About

Instructor:  Linda Marshall / Washi Arts

Konnyaku is the powdered root of a perennial plant in Japan known by any of several names, including, voodoo lily, snake palm, elephant yam, and, devil’s tongue. In this workshop we’ll be using konnyaku to strengthen and soften Japanese washi / paper for use as cloth, collage, sculpture and interesting book forms.

Wa = Japanese + shi + paper · washi = Japanese paper

The workshop will start off with a brief overview of Japanese paper (what makes it different from Western paper and various types of washi) as well as a video from from recent trip to Japan during paper making season. 

You will then learn how prepare and use Konnyaku to make momi (kneaded) paper, then create range of paper and textures and patterns set by the starch, and how to use konnyaku as sizing for various media, and as an adhesive for collage. 

During the workshop, participants will create a series of samples for reference and inspiration..

Participants will make a simple book with your momigami (or paper supplied by Linda). Based on a Hedi Kyle structure, this simple elegant structure employs the unique qualities of crinkled paper. It is a single section sewn into a soft cover with rolled edges.