What Is Awagami?

Les Picker Named First Awagami Ambassador

Unryo with visible fibers.

by Les Picker

Awagami's 8th generation papermakers craft the most incredible fine art papers, using a hand-made process that results in papers with exquisite feel and complexity.

The company recently created a series of coated papers designed for use in inkjet printers, such as the Canon Prograf line that we use in our studio in Havre de Grace, Maryland, USA.

There is no way to describe the beauty of the Awagami papers, whether coated or uncoated, some infused with visible plant fibers. The texture, look and feel of the papers add a whole new dimension to fine art photographic prints. They are truly in a class by themselves and Les is proud to be named their Ambassador. We wrote an article on the use of their Unryu paper, distributed by Moab Fine Art Papers (a division of Legion Paper). Unryu has visible plant fibers that, with the right image, result in a striking print.

Heavily textured Bizan comes in various weights.

I was named the first Awagami Ambassador by Japan's finest washi paper company. Later this year Les will be offering workshops in his studio featuring Awagami papers and their applications for fine art photography. Look for announcements for the workshops here.