Introduction

Hello, world.

I am running a little origami shop and paper company that produces “Washi” (traditional Japanese paper) in Ryugasaki City, Ibaraki prefecture.

In 1905 my grandfather Risaburo Asada founded Asada Paper Shop in Kanda City, Tokyo. In the past, we were selling mainly commercial paper but also Washi. My uncle and father later took over this shop and operated for a decade. Unfortunately, later the shop had to be closed for a while due to my father's illness. After my father's death, I took over this place and revived the shop as a specialist in the field of Washi.

After reopening the shop for one year, I was surprised that although Washi can epitomize traditional Japanese craftwork, the demand for this was not high. This situation brought me a lot of "anxiety."

However, one day a lady walked into the shop and wanted to learn origami folding. I used this opportunity to contact the origami association and personally obtained an origami teacher's license to host origami folding classes in my shop. After opening up classes, the woman who requested for this class is now one of our oldest students. At the same time, demand for Washi has been increasing, resulting in more sales of different varieties of Washi.

It will soon be the 16th anniversary after I took over the Asada Paper Shop. I could not have run this shop for 16 years without the generous support from customers, Washi craftsmen, and suppliers who were gentle and always there for me. Thank you so much for all of your support.

I am soon turning 70 years old, and I am the 4th generation of Asada Paper Shop. Ever since the beginning, I felt I had the responsibility to advocate and raise awareness of traditional Japanese culture and crafts making. One of the steps is to open up group classes for origami hobbyists and tourists. I could not have opened and developed such a course for group customers or tourists without the help from all my friends (who are customers but sometimes students).

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the lifestyles of many. Vaccines and new medications are in development. I hope someday we can go back to the previous lifestyle of sharing beautiful moments together. After this is all over please visit Japan where there are generous people, beautiful nature, and an abundance of traditional cultural heritage. If you are interested in Washi and origami, I will always welcome you. Let's fold origami together!

2020 Autumn

*For more details about the origami group class or class for tourists, please take a look at our website (click on the 折り紙教室).

*Please be assured we are proactive and have taken measures against the spread of COVID-19.

Asada Paper Shop
Shopkeeper Hiroko Saito