learning matsuo kozo

so this is what i did in toronto. a bamboo basket, with red lacquer paint. 

matsuo kozo, 1/2 sheet

ready to spin

i stayed in the place where my book becomes a journal for many others' thoughts.

my dear friend wendy and i had lovely conversations.

laughter, and caring.

i leave her grateful, challenged, and celebrated for being just myself. 

this is the amazing gift that mature friendship brings.

i worked with hiroko karuno to understand and expand my shifu education. 

i have far to go, but i must say that getting to this place was a huge victory for me. 

can you see the tiny arches formed between each "string"?

this step proved to be most difficult for me. 

my awkward hands fumbled as i sought to understand the work necessary to prepare 

kozo for spinning. eventually certain things "clicked".

i love that concrete blocks are just fine for this!

one half sheet (two quarters) of matsuo kozo, prepared for spinning.

this elegant wheel is perfect for the job. 

it has a wonderful flexibility in the "maidens" which are made from corded bamboo sheaths. 

(and i suspect also in the wheel adjustments for the drive band)

hiroko sent me home with my two small skeins wrapped around 

a plastic covered bobbin, still damp, 

with instructions to wind off while still a tiny bit damp. 

i forgot to photograph them in their damp state, i was so eager to skein them!

so at 10:30, after my train and car trips, 

i eagerly began to wind off my skeins.

89 yards.

i am ridiculously delighted with this spinning, this handwork, 

this almost meditation of making.

i honor hiroko, her kind husband, my dear wendy, and her husband.

i thank toronto, a city i'm learning to love.

i was made to feel very welcome, for this most exciting step in my textile education. 

when i prepare to make shifu, 

it seems like all the parts of my making are coming together.