Sep

16

East Meets West, Meets West: Part Seven, Final Part.

Filed Under Life Slice 

Paper Place Card Workshop

Nancy moved into the Brock Avenue warehouse and expanded. The industrial building was to be the hub of The Japanese Paper Place. Teachers, conservators and artists are regulars.

International business is ever-increasing. During the week of my visit, the shop has shipped to Greece, Turkey, England, Finland and the States. There are customers in Australia, South Africa, Iceland, Korea and more. From time-to-time trips to Japan are necessary to meet with suppliers. Finally, Nancy is able to focus on the side of the business she enjoys the most: travel!

Years ago, a young woman thought of a place where foreign papers could be sold. A place where if people “could see and handle the paper, they too would believe in it and like it.” Through perseverance, positivity and passion, the same principles endured and an institution was born. First in Toronto, and then, around the world.

Despite the changes on Queen Street, the concept of The Japanese Paper Place, never fell out of vogue. And the rules for living? Their story to be told.

Nancy is currently working on a book. The book is about Japanese papers: what they are and how to use it. She’s researching time-honoured traditions in paper-making and dying; identifying rare material and natural resources. She’s making her notes on paper; manuscript paper Kevin and Heather had given as a gift, in a remarkable box, to hold Nancy’s life’s work.

It is important.

The exchange, among the owners, is one generation’s way of restoring tradition, as the other, makes it possible; in the city, in the journals, and in our lives.

Comments

One Response to “East Meets West, Meets West: Part Seven, Final Part.”

  1. karyn on September 16th, 2008 10:59 pm

    a totally inspiring story. i LOVE that she’s writing a book, it’s absolutely fitting and i can’t wait to see it.

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