EVENT...

The art of Washi Or

igami with

Tomiyo-san

session 1: 1PM Session 2: 6PM

245 E 58th St. 8DNy, NY 10027(646)-414-1366

Touching FISH &

CatcHing DREAMS:

"Fish and Catch Your Dream"

An event popular with both young children and adults, Tomiya will teach participants how to create a fish from origami paper and ask them to write down their dreams. The origami fish are then cast out to sea in the “ocean” on the floor, and partici-pants try to fish their creations using string made from washi paper. How many dreams can you catch?

Washi PaperThe term “Washi” means Japanese paper. Washi is fine paper made from fibers of the gampi tree, the misumata shrub, kozo tree. Washi paper is stronger than most ordinary pa-per but it also more flexible and feels soft to the touch. It is very versatile, used in bookbinding, photo-printing, furni-ture, lamps, and even umbrealls. Tradionally, washi is used in Japanese calligraphy and Japanese paper crafts. Washi is very friendly to the earth’s environment.

what is ?

JapanesE Kimono Learn about kimono, Japanese traditional dress, with Tomiya! She creates these kimonos from washi paper by herself. Tomiya will show her creations and show how to wear kimono. She en-courages everyone, both women and men, to try wearing them!

Tomiya is a Japanese paper crafts artist and Worldmate member. Alongside teaching origami (Japanese paper folding) in her home, Tomiya teaches about the mentality of Japanese harmony at art museums and event sites. She also shows how to wear kimono, Japanese dress.

Tomiya moved to Kansas from Japan at age 39 with her three daughters for remarriage. A short 5 years later, she began to notice discomfort in her eyes. She was diagnosed with Bietti’s Crystalline Retinopathy, a rare genetic disorder. As there is no known cure or treatment for Bietti’s Crystalline Retinopathy at the moment, the disorder causes inevitable blind-ness. When Tomiya’s husband passed away from chronic disease, she didn’t know what to do. Faced with her future blindness, she felt her future growing dark with uncertainty. One day, while touching washi paper (Japanese traditional paper) she was struck by a spark of inspiration.

Tomiya started to think about spreading washi paper to her fellow Americans. In 2010, she began a small business selling hand-made goods made from washi and origami paper.

Now,Tomiya has lost 70% of her sight, and the scope of her vision is rapidly decreasing. As to not worry her family and friends, she strives to do things she can enjoy even without eyesight and live her life to the fullest.

Rather than feel defeated, she makes the best of her situation by creating art and introducing others to art that all can enjoy by using their sense of touch. She also hopes to convey to her seeing audience that sight is a very special and precious gift. Her mission is to have her audience think about that gift. Tomiya’s greatest happiness is spreading positivity, so that others may overcome their problems and have a great life.

About the arTIST