In the early 1950s, back in the United States as a student at the Art Institute of Chicago, Mrs. Nakane would give Japanese art supplies and papers as omiyage (gifts) to fellow students and friends in the art community after she returned from trips to Japan. Her friends loved the items and clamored for more – thus the beginning of her store in 1954, Aiko's Art Materials. Since that time, the store has provided both supplies and services to the art community in Chicago and now to customers around the world. I first walked into the store in 1961 during a field trip into Chicago when I was an undergraduate painting major at the University of Illinois. I had never seen such an amazing array of paper. I began my lifelong practice of being unable to leave the store without a sizable role of the "most beautiful." Each paper also had Mrs. Nakane's story of its origin and production. From the first time I met her, I knew she would be my good friend. I believe this experience was shared by everyone who walked into her store and showed interest in her passion for paper. Our friendship continued as I became a hand papermaker myself. In 1982 I walked in, as I often did for a "look," and the following events unfolded which changed my life. She asked me if I were planning to attend a conference that Fine Print magazine was coordinating with papermakers from Japan. I told her that while I had heard of it, I did not even have a passport, let alone any idea of how to obtain funds to travel so far. I started to explain to Aiko: young children, no money, my husband would be upset \[or something to this effect\], etc. She stopped my litany of excuses by saying, "I think I have the materials. Yes, here it is. Take my last brochure." I said, "... but Aiko, I can't go." She simply looked up at me and fixed her gaze to mine and said, "Find a way!" She turned and left me holding the materials, with no other choice. I went to all the local colleges and universities and promised lectures upon my return in exchange for advanced payment of my travel expenses and conference fees. It turned out to be my first successful grant application, allowing me to attend the 1983 International Paper Symposium in Kyoto. My life was forever changed towards a path following handmade paper. Years later when I founded The Columbia College Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts, I wanted to acknowledge Aiko's spirit, her contagious enthusiasm for paper, and her generosity towards me and my work. I approached her with the idea of establishing a fellowship in her name for students pursuing paper arts at Columbia College. At first she was shy about attaching her name to the fellowship, but I finally prevailed upon her to let us use her name for the sake of future students with financial needs. Along with other donors, Aiko herself became a major contributor to the fellowship that now funds several students each year. They pursue her passion. Even Mayor Daley declared May 6, 1996 Aiko Nakane Day in her honor to launch the Fellowship. My dear friend Aiko Nakane passed away in May 2004. Her wonderful store has a new, yet very familiar proprietor: Chuck Izui. At Aiko's memorial service Chuck spoke eloquently about his more-than-twenty-year experience of working alongside her. His remarks gave important and endearing insight, not only into Aiko's life, but also into a most graceful process of aging. Chuck agreed to share his remarks that appear on the facing page. I am thankful to Chuck for contributing his memories of Aiko for this article and for choosing one of Aiko's favorite papers to share with readers of Hand Papermaking in this issue. I know in the minds and hearts of those whose lives Mrs. Nakane touched so profoundly she lives as forcefully as she ever did. Aiko, we remember and love you.
