Nadine Brown

The washi paper, he tells you, comes from the fibers of the gampy tree, which can be found just outside the city. He demonstrates the toughness of the paper by pulling it at either side and says that it's the same paper that people use for the ancient craft of origami.

He goes on to trim it, then coat it with linseed oil to make it waterproof, before placing it outside with the other pieces to dry. The final stage is the painting. The old man smiles, perching his glasses firmly on his nose as he brings in a complete parasol ready to decorate. He asks you to pick out three colours from the shelf, which you do.

He goes on to trim it, then coat it with linseed oil to make it waterproof, before placing it outside with the other pieces to dry. The final stage is the painting. The old man smiles, perching his glasses firmly on his nose as he brings in a complete parasol ready to decorate. He asks you to pick out three colours from the shelf, which you do.

He goes on to trim it, then coat it with linseed oil to make it waterproof, before placing it outside with the other pieces to dry. The final stage is the painting. The old man smiles, perching his glasses firmly on his nose as he brings in a complete parasol ready to decorate. He asks you to pick out three colours from the shelf, which you do.

Then, he deposits a large catalogue of sorts onto the tabletop. Opening the thick bound book, you see that it is filled with intricate designs. There are mountains, Lakes, birds, and torii gates, the red ones you see at the entrance to ancient shrines. You ask if he sketched all the drawings himself, and he nods, encouraging you to pick one of the designs.

Then, he deposits a large catalogue of sorts onto the tabletop. Opening the thick bound book, you see that it is filled with intricate designs. There are mountains, Lakes, birds, and torii gates, the red ones you see at the entrance to ancient shrines. You ask if he sketched all the drawings himself, and he nods, encouraging you to pick one of the designs.

Then, he deposits a large catalogue of sorts onto the tabletop. Opening the thick bound book, you see that it is filled with intricate designs. There are mountains, Lakes, birds, and torii gates, the red ones you see at the entrance to ancient shrines. You ask if he sketched all the drawings himself, and he nods, encouraging you to pick one of the designs.

One in particular captures your attention. It's a simple design, dotted with pink cherry blossoms, with a tall wooden tiered pagoda in the middle. The man smiles, saying that this is one of his favourites to paint. He turns towards the shelf to select three brushes and fills an empty glass jar with water from the tap in the corner sink.

One in particular captures your attention. It's a simple design, dotted with pink cherry blossoms, with a tall wooden tiered pagoda in the middle. The man smiles, saying that this is one of his favourites to paint. He turns towards the shelf to select three brushes and fills an empty glass jar with water from the tap in the corner sink.

One in particular captures your attention. It's a simple design, dotted with pink cherry blossoms, with a tall wooden tiered pagoda in the middle. The man smiles, saying that this is one of his favourites to paint. He turns towards the shelf to select three brushes and fills an empty glass jar with water from the tap in the corner sink.

You watch as he dips the first slender brush into the powdered paint. You are mesmerized by his skill and his steady hand as he expertly paints the blossoms with delicate dabs of pastel pink onto the paper. At regular intervals, he cleans the brush in the water, creating kaleidoscope swirls of colour in the liquid, before beginning to work on the deep brown tones of the wooden pagoda.

You watch as he dips the first slender brush into the powdered paint. You are mesmerized by his skill and his steady hand as he expertly paints the blossoms with delicate dabs of pastel pink onto the paper. At regular intervals, he cleans the brush in the water, creating kaleidoscope swirls of colour in the liquid, before beginning to work on the deep brown tones of the wooden pagoda.

You watch as he dips the first slender brush into the powdered paint. You are mesmerized by his skill and his steady hand as he expertly paints the blossoms with delicate dabs of pastel pink onto the paper. At regular intervals, he cleans the brush in the water, creating kaleidoscope swirls of colour in the liquid, before beginning to work on the deep brown tones of the wooden pagoda.

As you sit on the stool, watching the mastery of the brushstrokes, you completely lose track of time. fully immersed, relaxed and enjoying the meditative experience. After the parasol is completed, he takes it outside for the paint to dry and invites you to join him for a cup of tea. The old man wipes his hands on his apron, no longer a brilliant white, now speckled with paint.

As you sit on the stool, watching the mastery of the brushstrokes, you completely lose track of time. fully immersed, relaxed and enjoying the meditative experience. After the parasol is completed, he takes it outside for the paint to dry and invites you to join him for a cup of tea. The old man wipes his hands on his apron, no longer a brilliant white, now speckled with paint.

As you sit on the stool, watching the mastery of the brushstrokes, you completely lose track of time. fully immersed, relaxed and enjoying the meditative experience. After the parasol is completed, he takes it outside for the paint to dry and invites you to join him for a cup of tea. The old man wipes his hands on his apron, no longer a brilliant white, now speckled with paint.

And he tells you the art of parasol making has been in his family for many generations. He explains that not many people are interested in learning how the parasols are made. You are the first to visit his studio in quite a while, and for that he is grateful.

And he tells you the art of parasol making has been in his family for many generations. He explains that not many people are interested in learning how the parasols are made. You are the first to visit his studio in quite a while, and for that he is grateful.

And he tells you the art of parasol making has been in his family for many generations. He explains that not many people are interested in learning how the parasols are made. You are the first to visit his studio in quite a while, and for that he is grateful.

The pair of you sit on comfortable cushioned chairs amongst the twinkling lights in the courtyard, sipping the refreshing drink as water trickles from the fountains. After a while, the man says he must continue working, but welcomes you to stay for as long as you like. You thank him for the tea and his company, but say you will continue your journey as you have more of the city you wish to see.