Japanese Papermaking; Traditions, Tools, and Techniques with an Appendix on Alternative Fibers By Winifred Lutz (signed By the author)

New York; (1983): Weatherhill. First Edition. Small Quarto. 316 pages, three paper samples tipped in, index, bibliography, glossary, appendices. As a young man Timothy Barrett traveled to Japan on a Fullbright Fellowship to research washi, Japanese handmade paper. He worked with the craftspeople of Ogawa-machi who forced him to send his early efforts back into the vat until his skills had matured. This work is considered by the Japanese as a superb glimps into what is involved in making washi (the text formed the main body of the book Ngashi-zuki in limited edition published by Bird & Bull Press in 1979). As the long review says in Monumenta Nipponica: "one of the great merits of this book...is the relaying of the more intuitive, even spiritual, attitude the Japanese hold toward their work, their tools and their materials." While the reviewer agrees it is possible for those outside Japan to come close to excellence using his detailed suggestions, it is also noted that only the most dedicated reader will be able to achieve the results he describes. A near fine copy bound in brown linen stamped in gilt, spine lettering gilt, Japanese fiber endpapers, in near fine pictorial dust jacket with a bit of "raising" of clear coating. (Inventory #: 026640)