Shifu (paper thread) exemplars from Asao Shimura. Made in the Philippines, mid-2000s. Tim Barrett Papers [MsC0937], Special Collections and Archives. University of Iowa Libraries. Photo: Sara Pinkham.
From co-curator Giselle Simón: In October 2012, Tim Barrett, now University of Iowa Center for the Book Director Emeritus, invited Asao Shimura to Iowa to do a workshop for UICB students, faculty, and staff. Asao is a master papermaker and artist living in the Philippines and, among other areas of expertise, he is known for his shifu works-objects made from paper thread, or kami-ito. I will never forget his workshop, his demonstration of the process which included cutting strips from a folded sheet of kozo (thin Asian-style paper), separating the strips by wetting and rolling them, and finally spinning each strand into a thread. Asao showed us how to coat paper with konnyaku, a multi-use starch, to make it waterproof. After an intense day of learning and practicing many techniques, he cleared an area in the studio and began to make dinner for the class, savory miso broth over chopped vegetables. The delicious meal warmed us all, especially because Asao had fashioned a waterproof paper bowl (kami nabe) in which to cook the meal. He wore a shifu robe that he had made, similar to the cloth example in this exhibition, making that early October golden hour one of the most magical moments I’ve ever experienced with paper.