Kami '89, a compilation of articles describing a conference hosted by Asao in Japan in 1989 which also includes reprints of previous publications he has published, has a different format. I was surprised by the size. This is a large book, 9" x 12" with 215 pages, compared to Asao's previous publications. The book has a simple binding with a deep sky blue paper cover. The clear, easily read text is produced by a bubble jet printer and printed offset on machine-made paper. If you have never visited Japan, Kami '89 makes you dream of going. Close your eyes and you can see the mountains, rice paddies, and groves of kozo trees. The first two articles on Japanese papermaking are visual history. The next section describes shifu cloth. Kozo paper is specially formed for the spinning of paper threads. The shifu makers, in turn, boil, dye, spin, and weave these threads into the most elegant cloth. One of my greatest desires is to own a shifu kimono. Papermaking around the world not only makes you wish to travel but to experience each village and papermaking culture. There are articles here about papermaking in every corner of the world, from Mexico to the high Himalayas. One of Asao's articles, entitled "Experimental and Primitive Papermaking through an Old-fashioned Life Style" is a delight. Asao's 1987 mini-conference was held at the marvelous old thatched roofed farm house, then Asao's home, described in the article. Asao includes a recipe for delicious Green Tea Ice Cream. I particularly enjoyed the Japanese text with the English translation under it, finding this format both poetic and spiritual. Through this juxtaposition, I began to feel the reverence the Japanese papermakers have for their art. Toward the end of the book appears an article by Mr. Kyuemon Abe and Mrs. Shizue Abe on kyosei-shi, kon'nyaku sized, crumpled paper, used for book covers, art work, and clothing. (Kon'nyaku is a vegetable and can be purchased at most Asian grocery stores.) This intriguing article makes one wish to try to produce these wondrous crinkled papers. The drawings are simple and the directions easy to follow. I enjoyed seeing Richard Flavin's skillful drawings on a larger scale. The photos are dark, though, and I strained to see details. The few paper samples in the book are inconsistent in size; some are very small while others fill nearly a whole page. This is an important book, one that I shall enjoy having. It will serve as an invaluable teaching tool, informative in culture, history, and papermaking methods. I have participated in two of Asao's conference; the mini conference in 1987 and the Hawaii conference in 1988, which Asao and I jointly hosted. I am sad to have missed Kami '89. By the text and photos it was a grand time. If Asao holds a conference in Japan in 1995 and leads a tour of Japanese papermaking villages, save your money and plan to attend; it will be an event not to be missed.
