Aya Fiber Studio

Japanese Papermaking & Bookbinding Intensive with Anne Covell

A three-day hands-on retreat exploring handmade paper, structure, and the poetry of the book form

Join artist and bookmaker Anne Covell for a deep dive into the traditional craft of Japanese papermaking and bookbinding. Through patient, tactile process, you’ll learn how natural fibers, water, and motion combine to create luminous sheets of handmade washi — and how those sheets can be transformed into refined, expressive book forms.

The Japanese Papermaking & Bookbinding Intensive is designed to give students the unique opportunity to

learn three distinct Japanese crafts: Nagashizuki hand papermaking, natural dyeing and cover decoration, and

hand bookbinding. Each day we will build upon skills learned in previous sessions to create a body of work

that is considerate of the resources, materials, and aesthetics that define Japanese bookmaking. Students can

expect to leave this workshop with a collection of hand-bound books housed as well as a stack of luscious

hand-dyed decorative papers to use for further exploration.

On the first day of the workshop, we will begin by making our own paper using traditional Nagashizuki

methods. Our focus will be on fiber preparation and sheet formation as well as traditional pressing and drying

techniques. Additionally, we will explore Hangami papermaking, a hybrid style of sheet forming use to create

soft backing papers for book covers. On the second day, we will learn several traditional methods for

decorating the paper we made including brush and dip dyeing with natural dyes common to Japan such as

kakishibu (persimmon tannin), clove, and indigo, as well as burnishing and embossing techniques using

carved stone and wood blocks. We will also cover shibori, a manual resist dyeing technique for creating

patterns in cloth and paper that dates to the 8th century, as well as momigami, a folding and crumpling

technique (also known as kneaded paper) that strengthens the paper and gives it the appearance of leather.

We will then use our handmade decorative papers to create laminated cover papers for our bindings. Students

will have the opportunity to work from blocks carved with traditional Japanese patterns to emboss them

papers for historical effect. On the third day, we will use these materials to bind three traditional Japanese

books: the ledger, multi-section, and stab binding.

DAILY SCHEDULE

DAY 1

• Presentation on Historic Edo Period hand papermaking and cover-making
• Nagashizuki hand papermaking
• Hangami recycled papermaking with ink removal method
• Pressing and drying techniques

DAY 2

• Natural dyeing (methods for brush and vat dyeing with Indigo, clove, and kakishibu)
• Shibori and momigami techniques
• Cover lamination
• Burnishing and embossing techniques

DAY 3

• Cover preparation
• Japanese ledger binding
• Japanese multi-section binding
• Traditional Japanese stab binding with inner binding

Note: Ann will be participating in Tropic Bound to return Feb 4-7, 2027! If you are interested in joining a group to go to Miami over the weekend preceding the workshop- please let me know- We can meet and take the Brightline>

Studio Environment
Work in Aya’s spacious, light-filled coastal studio in Stuart, Florida — fully equipped for wet processes and fine paper work. Each participant enjoys ample workspace (never more than two per 4′×8′ table), power, USB access, and drying areas.

Enjoy fresh morning coffee, tea, and pastries, personalized lunch pickups, and a relaxed atmosphere designed for focus and flow.

Details
Instructor: Anne Covell
Dates: February 9-11, 2027
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuition: $980.00
Skill Level: All Levels
Materials Fee: Additional (details provided upon registration)
Class Size: Limited to 10 participants

Discover the quiet power of paper — from fiber to form — and leave with handmade sheets and beautifully bound books that embody patience, balance, and craft.