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  This is our introduction of collaboration artworks created in cooperation with NPO Kyo-kogei under the theme of "Uniting modern design with traditional arts and crafts."  Washi, Japanese paper is usually made from three materials, Kozo, Mitsumata, and Ganpi. Kozo is a kind of mulberry tree, and Mitsumata and Ganpi are kinds of fragrant daphne. Of these plants, only the inside part of the bark, which is called Jinpi-Seni (bast fiber) is used for the paper. Jinpi-Seni is very strong fiber, so the secret of the strength of Japanese paper is in its materials. Compared to the paper used in western countries which is made from wood pulp itself, western paper is richer in its materials but as for the strength of the paper, Japanese paper is superior to the Western craft. Japanese paper is the twining or combination of long vegetable fibers, so if you look at the paper through a microscope, you will see many small holes in the paper. Through these holes, air comes in and goes out the house. That is why you are able to feel the seasons outside at first hand, staying in a traditional Japanese-style house. In addition, Washi, Japanese paper, also allows the light to go through. More specifically, not only lets the light go through, but the fiber of the paper refracts and softens the light. Fusuma and Shoji, the partitions and fittings which are features of Japan's original style of architecture, make use of such fine characteristics of Japanese paper. Furthermore, the 3 materials of Japanese paper are all perennial plants which are raised in farms, so they are good materials for the environment, there is no need to destroy forests. 
<Concept of the work> I made use of the characteristic of Japanese paper, the soft refraction of the light in this work. Because Japanese paper is made from long fiber, it is very strong and hard to tear up. The hinge in this work is made of Japanese paper too.
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