Students will read the article of a stationary designer, and explore the culture and meaning of personalizing stationary and other items as well as making handmade items.

What to prepare

• Handout

Procedure

1. Questions to help students' comprehention
a) What is Ms Udagawa's occupation?
b) What kind of things does she make? Why does she make them?
c) What was she doing when she was young?
d) Why did she think she would make them herself?
e) What did she make using things that are not needed any longer?
f) What does she introduce in her books and workshops? Why?
g)「自分で作ったものにはそういう力がある」What does そういう力 means?

2. Discussion points
h) Are you using any stationary that you have arranged or decorated yourself? What is it? What did you do to it? Why did you do it?
i) How does it feel different to use the stationary that you arranged, compared to using the stationary as they are? Why do you think it feels different?
j) Have you make any stationary or other things using recycled materials? What did you make?
k) Have you ever received a handmade gift which someone especially made for you? What was it? How did you feel?

3. Creative task
l) Make a handmade stationary using materials you can find around yourself. Then, write what you used and how you used them in Japanese. You may make or arrange other items if you wish. The following links may give you some ideas.
• https://atelier.woman.excite.co.jp/interview/rid_atelier9258/pid_2.html