Yoichi Fujimori

Born 1947 in Tokushima Island in Japan, Yoichi Fujimori is a traditional Japanese paper maker. After graduating from university in 1969, Yoichi began working in the paper making
industry in his hometown in Tokushima Island in Japan. In 1969 he started working at Fuji Papermill Enterprise Union and joined the family tradition of Japanese handmade paper making to make traditional paper making into a wider business. Consequently, he created Awagami Factory- brand paper and built the Awagami Traditional Handmade Japanese Paper Making Museum and Gallery where artists and designers can produce their work with his collaboration.

At the same time, through his courses, he instructs and teaches to pass on the skill and culture of Japanese handmade paper making.

He has been awarded several important awards including Master of Traditional Craft and The Order of The Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays from the Emperor of Japan. Since 1983 he has been organising and teaching five day handmade paper workshops in the summer to introduce and pass on the skill of the traditional Japanese paper making process. Similar workshops and teaching have been held by him in the USA, France, Belgium, Australia and Thailand.