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Asao Shimura correspondence with Gilbert Beale regarding Japanese papermaking

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 0099-F0946

Scope and Content Note

Japanese papermaker Asao Shimura exchanged letters discussing Japanese papermaking with English printer Gilbert A. Beale between 1978 and 1980.

The correspondence includes receipts for paper purchases made by Beale and lists of other available items to purchase, including papermaking tools and Shimura's miniature books. Shimura and Beale discussed paper samples according to size and weight. The two also speculated on the etymology of washi (Japanese paper) names, such as kozo, mitsumata, gampi, and kuwa. Shimura also printed his Bunseido Press newsletters on his handmade paper; in the newsletters Shimura announced travel plans for workshops and lectures.

Also included is a letter from Shimura to Donn W. Sanford, who had inquired about Shimura's miniature books he had obtained from Beale. There are also two envelopes for which there are no associated contents.

Dates

  • Creation: 1978-1980, 1999

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials predominantly in English. Newsletters and receipts also in Japanese.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, http://library.udel.edu/spec/askspec/

Asao Shimura (1950- )

Japanese papermaker Asao Shimura (1950- ) is an authority on papermaking techniques and historical papermaking processes. He has published over twenty-five miniature handmade books on the history of papermaking and natural dyeing processes.

Shimura grew up in Tokyo and attended Tokyo Technical College, where he studied industrial chemistry and water analysis. After graduating in 1971, Shimura conducted an extensive tour of traditional papermaking and natural dyeing techniques throughout Japan. With a small platen press, Shimura began producing miniature books under the imprint of the Bunseido Press, which later became Cannabis Press (also referred to as CP). In December 2008, Shimura changed the press's name to Asa Press.

Koretsky, Donna. "Asao Shimura."Hand Papermaking (Winter 1989: 23-25). Shimura, Asao. "CV of Asao Shimura." Last modified August 2012. http://asapress.info/images/books/CV_Asao_Shimura.pdf (accessed March 5, 2014).

Extent

53 item

Abstract

Asao Shimura (born 1950) is a papermaker and authority on papermaking techniques and historical papermaking processes. He has published over twenty-five miniature handmade books documenting the history of papermaking and natural dyeing processes. Shimura exchanged letters and various paper samples with English printer Gilbert A. Beale between 1978 and 1980.

Source

Purchase, May 2013.

Related Materials in this Repository

This item forms part of MSS 0099 Miscellaneous Literary and Historical Manuscripts.

Shelving Summary

Box 66, F0946: Shelved in SPEC MSS 0099 manuscript boxes.

Processing

Processed and encoded by Dustin Frohlich, March 2014. Further encoded by George Apodaca, October 2015.

Subject

Title
Finding aid for Asao Shimura correspondence with Gilbert Beale regarding Japanese papermaking
Status
Completed
Author
University of Delaware Library, Special Collections
Date
2014 March 06
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University of Delaware Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
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