Japan Blog - Part II - The RIR Riso Event (Day 1)
On the second part of my riso adventures, I travelled north to Kanazawa city. I was excited to dive into the main highlight of my trip - the RIR Riso event. This two-day extravaganza, featuring a market, talks, and riso workshops, was hosted by Risgura and Ishibiki Public and held at two distinct locations.
Day One at Ishibiki Public: A Hub of Creativity
Ishibiki Public, a charming bookstore with a cozy café and a range of printing services, including digital printing and risography, played host to the event's first day. The day commenced with a bustling market and engaging discussions about the world of Risograph printing.
The event showcased a diverse array of Riso studios, from local gems to internationally established names. Meeting the creators behind these studios and learning about their unique journeys was profoundly inspiring. Some worked with Risos through their jobs, others incorporated it into their artistic practices, and then there were the studios dedicated exclusively to this technique.
Adding to the ambiance, the neighbourhood celebrated the "Ishibiki festival" outside, featuring traditional activities such as stone pulling, melodious music, and the carrying of the Mikoshi.
The Mikoshi, a portable mini shrine housing a deity, is paraded through town during festivals to bless businesses and residents while warding off misfortune.
In the afternoon
Different studios took to the stage to give some engaging talks. These sessions offered not only interesting insights but also a delightful peek into the thoughts behind each studio and their love for Riso printing and zine-making. The talks were hosted by four guest Riso studios:
**Handsaw Press Tokyo**: They shared an overview of the inspiring Riso studios they've encountered or visited, highlighting the diversity of the community. I was particularly excited to meet the team from Handsaw Press Tokyo, whom I had been following on Instagram. Stay tuned for more about them in part three of this series.
**Handsaw Press Kyoto**: They provided a comprehensive guide to DIY zine making, delving into the art and craft of this unique medium. You can read about our first meeting during the first part of this journey here.
**Neutral Colors**: This studio introduced their yearly magazine, now in its fourth volume, giving us a glimpse into their fascinating work.
**Riso Pop**: I had the privilege of discussing illustration and Risograph printing, along with an introduction to Riso Pop and the workshops we give at the studio.
Neutral Colors: A Yearly Passion Project
One studio that stood out to me during the event was Neutral Colors. This studio, run by founder Naonori Katoh and graphic designer Daisuke Kano, has a truly exceptional approach. They publish a yearly magazine, but these aren't your ordinary magazines – they are more like art books.
Katoh-san, having worked for years in large magazine and editorial companies, decided to create something meaningful and beautiful. The NC magazine takes a full year to produce and is printed in their studio, resulting in a limited run of 5,000 beautifully crafted books. While the binding is outsourced, they did produce a special edition bound in black paper, which was a visually stunning touch.
The themes of the NC magazine delve into various aspects of everyday life that Katoh-san finds intriguing. Each volume is filled with personal ideas, beliefs, and reflections on the chosen topic. The featured volume during the event focused on the education system.
What makes NC truly special is their approach to printing. They use a combination of Riso and offset printing for certain pages, seamlessly blending the two techniques. Additionally, they pay meticulous attention to details. For instance, in one of their volumes, they repurpose leftover test paper to create intricate traditional washi paper decorations, which are featured in an article about washi-making.
One can't help but admire the dedication involved in working on a single personal project for an entire year. It shows how much passion and dedication they put into their work.
The day ended with a festive dinner together and a good night sleep before Day 2 at Risogura!
