The National Archives of Canada and the Canadian Conservation Institute organized a ten-day workshop on Japanese paper conservation techniques for the professional development of conservators. The workshop ran from June 17th - 27th, 2002 and was held at the National Archives’ Gatineau Preservation Centre in Gatineau, Québec. The instructor was Kazunori Oryu, Oriental Paintings Conservator and Associate Professor, Kyoto University of Art and Design, Japan.

The workshop combined intensive hands-on sessions with demonstrations, guest lectures and group discussions. The principal topics were:

• Japanese papers and their use in conservation,

• Japanese conservation tools and techniques,

• the construction and use of a karibari (Japanese drying screen),

• Japanese techniques for the preparation and assembling of paper sheets, and

• Japanese repair and lining techniques.

The workshop was open to paper conservators with a minimum of three years of practical experience working in archives, libraries or museum collections. Enrolment was limited to 15 participants. They were:

• Barbara Buchanan, Ottawa, Ontario

• James Canary, Bloomington, Indiana

• Judith Falardeau, Gatineau, Québec

• Francine Gauthier, Québec, Québec

• Juliet Graham, Lethbridge, Alberta

• Anna Jakobiec, Hull, Québec

• Josette Kimlon Woods, George Town, Grand Cayman, British West Indies

• Cecile Mear, Cincinnati, Ohio

• Valeria Orlandini, Oberlin, Ohio

• Betsy Palmer Eldridge, Toronto, Ontario

• Andrea Reichert, Montréal, Québec

• Barbara Rosenberg, Toronto, Ontario

• Theresa Shockey, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

• Marie Trottier, Montréal, Québec

• Betty Walsh, Victoria, British Columbia

The workshop was highly successful. Not only did participants learn about Japanese materials and conservation tools and techniques, and the application of these techniques in the conservation of archival documents and western art, they also had the opportunity to meet colleagues, share experiences and create professional networks.