Toro with Suminagashi:
Japanese Wood & Paper Lantern making with Japanese Sumi Ink Marbling on Paper

 
Instructor: Ayako Abe-Miller
Date and time: Sunday, August 7, 1-4pm 
Cost: $150 per person, all materials included 
Description of Workshop:
  
Ayako will be teaching participants how to make Toro, a traditional Japanese square wood and paper lantern.  During the Obon festival, the lanterns are released into the river at dark to appreciate, pray for, and honor one's ancestors. At the time of this annual summer festival, hundreds of Toro can be seen floating like a host of fireflies on the rivers and lakes of Japan. 
  
In the workshop, we will also produce Suminagashi paper to cover the wood lantern. Suminagashi is an ancient Sumi ink marbling technique for making decorative paper. In the first part of the workshop, participants will enjoy making Suminagashi paper and then construct the fine wood frame Toro lanterns to then cover with the Suminagashi paper. The Toro lantern can be used as a beautiful lighting accent to create a Zen-like atmosphere in your home. This workshop will be very fun and easy, says Ayako, so anyone can sign up (no prior art experience required).