Akika Matsuo handmade Japanese paper／Ishikawa Prefecture
Biography
Born in 1985. Born in Ishikawa Prefecture.
In 2009, became a production staff member of Eriko Horiki, a Japanese paper designer. From here, she started her career in washi.
2016: Worked at Noto Nigyo Washi in Ishikawa Prefecture.
2020: Became independent. Started activities as a papermaking studio NONOWASHI.
Profile
What inspired you to get into this work?
My grandfather always told me to work with my hands, and I had a longing to become a craftsman.
When I was a college student, I learned that Eriko Horiki was looking for a part-time washi-making staff member, and I applied for the position because I wanted to try it even though I had no knowledge or experience.
I was exposed to the interesting material of washi and the joy of making it, and I continue to do so to this day.
What do you want to appeal the most in your work?
Washi paper making makes use of the materiality of plants.
In addition to kozo (paper mulberry), paper is made from bamboo, rice straw, and a variety of other plants. We aim to make washi that makes the most of the characteristics of each material.
What do you keep in mind when creating your work?
To create something that is beautiful even after time has passed.
What do you want to achieve from now on? Or how do you want to live?
We would like to make washi as interior decoration so that people can incorporate washi into their daily lives.
We make things together with our customers according to their requests. We want to make things that people will be pleased with and that they will love.