Our arrival at the Washi Company.
The material for Karasuyamma~washi is mainly KOZO. KOZOis cultivated in the NASU region of Japan.
Kozo is harvested from Dec~Jan Harvested branches are cut to 1 meter
4 amigos ready to start making washi paper post cards.
Stripped black bark is tied up and wind dried then the bark is stored
Branches are steamed to make it easy to strip the branches of their bark
Boiled bark is placed in water where the impurities are carefully picked out by hand
Cleaned
Takes 2 ladies 3 days to clean
Choosing our decorations we want to put on our cards.
This solution is water, paper solution , and Neri
Our postcards are done and the company will take care of the pressing and drying. This takes one week to complete.
Cleaning up
Washi Paper postcards are decorated and in the drying process.
A hibscus flower is used as a supplement called Neri, neri is not
sticky, so the individual sheets don't stick together when being dried.
Neri
The tray is very heavy so cane poles are attached to the ceiling with
strings attached. The strings are then attached to the tray.
This is a professional washi paper maker. Currently she is in the process for making HS graduations
She is making 4 graduation cards, the process to make this paper is all done by hand thats why its very expensive.
Pressing the water from the paper takes one week total
After the paper has dried for 1 week it is then hung to be cut
This store sells washi paper items, the process is so long and hard to
do you can expect to pay lots of money to buy anything.....
Lamp made using washi paper
Another item made using washi paper.
Went over a couple of bridges on our way to Clover which is suppose to be a very good steak restaurant. I have always loved bridges and the architect it takes to build one.
We have finally reached our destination Clover.
Clovers design reminds me of a castle. The food was as good as they all were saying. Steak was so tender and delicious. When we were leaving they had this picture posted of the chef and someone had drawn him a mustache. LOL
We sure have had a wonderful day so far, lots of adventures and we aren't done with the day yet. Mioko had given Sue a gift to give to me since she couldn't make it to do washi paper with us and out to eat. Mioko's mother made the gift bag, I just loved the thoughtfulness that went into this gift.
Teresa is taking us to one more place before we go home don't know where but will here shortly. The next place is not far from Clover. Teresa pulled over along the road and told us we were here. There were lots of trees and I could see a stream of water. We got out of the car and she told us the name of the place we are walking to is called Dragon Falls.
We are going to take the bridge across the stream and in the distance I can see a building hope they have someone cold to drink I'm thirsty. It's pretty warm today.
As we get closer to the falls I'm beginning to hear the water. :-) Walking down a set of steep steps I can barely see Dragon Falls through the trees. Wow its beautiful and very powerful, I can also feel a fine mist in the air from the falls.
This is part of the walkway to the bottom of the falls.
More steps and more walking but the end is in sight. The fine mist is enough to keep the sidewalks very wet and slick.
Wow, the falls are absolutely beautiful.......tranquil.
We took this little wooden bridge over to a different area to look around.
Dragon etched into the walls of the dam
Teresa, Deb, Sue & ME
Sue and Deb by Dragon Waterfalls
Loved these flowers, so bright and beautiful have no clue what the name of this flower is.
Donna & Teresa at Dragon Falls
The beautiful majestic Dragon Falls.
Another flower its so bright also and unusual
We are back to the building now and inside is a shop selling goods, also this dragon was set up and it smokes, so cool.
Sue trying to get up to the top of the building where its all glassed in and you can look down on the falls, so pretty.
Japan has lots and lots of dragon flies.
On the way home we took this back woods country road that was very narrow. Teresa wanted to look for horse chestnut. Now if you know what they are then you would know we weren't prepared. WE needed gloves to pick them up with they have sharp spines all over them. Today has been an excellent day full of surprises and great food.
