Painting with paper

Sitting in a very Japanese room, on a pillow next to a low table. There are sliding doors made of rice paper, tatami mats covering the floor and a traditional huge pot filled with charcoal is keeping the water warm for the green tea.
On the walls hang beautiful paintings of chigiri-e and calligraphy. In the corner is an extra stable of pillows – or chairs, call them what you like. Torn pieces of coloured Washi (rice paper) cover the table. Five Japanese women are also seated.
The woman of the house, and sensei-san (teacher), is a woman with grey-scaled hair in a tight knot. Her posture is rank and graceful. Her wisdom spreads respect in the room. She practises the ceremonies, and teaches the public how to cook, arrange flowers and how to make chigiri-e.
When she sat down next to the rice door and showed how to open it correctly by never sliding it passed you shoulder, we all gasped aaah. A way of acknowledging her knowledge. Then we all learned how to make the perfect bow while seated.

A Japanese woman had invited Barbara to join her in her Chigiri-e classes once a month and today was the first day. It was a great experience offering so much more than "just" chigiri-e. It was a window into the Japanese culture.
In Japan, the women in many cases stop working as soon as they have given birth. One reason is poor day care possibilities, but other reasons could simply be culture and tradition.
A fact is it, that the Japanese value the art of making beautiful things, and groups like this can probably be found in many scales and variations all over the country, getting together practicing Japanese art craft like Origami, Ikebana, Calligraphy, water color or as here, Chigiri-e.
It was a whole day experience, which was felt in the legs – but stubborn as I am regarding fitting in, I declined the many kind offers to bring me a normal chair. I really enjoyed the time there and valued the many inputs on Japanese culture. The day opened for many conversations about things such as the Japanese masks, the use of kimonos, buying of yukatas, food habits and the amusement of the fact that men actually cook in Europe:-).
The woman that invited Barbara to Chigiri-e speaks fluently English, and she kindly translated as the rest only knew few English words.

The next time sensei-san will be teaching both how to make chigiri-e and how to make nori maki (maki rolls with seaweed). The group seemed to sense Barbaras desperate urge to learn how to cook Japanese.

By the way, - the picture is the result of the Chigiri-e. It pictures the Emperor and the empress because of the upcoming Hinamatusuri.

Chigiri-e is a way of "painting/collaging" with torn pieces of rice paper.