As I was saying, Chunchun project is about Tibet and Tibetan products made in Japan. Chunchun is literally translated from the Tibetan word meaning small. This project is self-funded by Aya Tanase as her contribution towards the Tibetan diaspora.
The first product from Chunchun project is a high-quality washi masking tape with fancy portrayals of kawaii illustrations depicting Tibetan life and nature.
Kuranishi designed masking tape with handwritten illustration measuring a width of 20mm by 10mm in length. The pattern of masking tape repeats after 20cm.
Illustration of the alluring essence of Tibetan simplicity and the harmonious co-existence of living and non-living beings. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR
The illustrations are alluring and beautifully capture the essence of Tibetan simplicity and the harmonious co-existence of living and non-living beings. But it’s easy to wonder, what led her to choose such a project to further the Tibetan movement.
As I inquired, why did she choose this project? She replied, “It is really difficult to raise awareness about Tibet through politics as nations have their own political and economic agendas. Therefore I chose arts to inform and create awareness about Tibet among the people.”
Masking tape stick to iPhone to let people know more about Tibet. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR
She then started to narrate the story behind the project and how this tape with illustration came about. This masking tape has Tibetan features on the pattern with pictures of traditional costumes, house and animals, etc.
The pattern has the original “story” that Tibet, home to the snow lion and snow peaks, is the source of Asia’s major rivers. The water of these rivers goes down through the mountains and moistens the earth and creates the vast meadows. These meadows then sustain the living and non-living beings of the plateau creating a safe ecosystem for the animals and people there.
Tibet- Life and Nature stick on notice board of Kunga restaurant.
You can use the masking paper on envelopes or notebooks like a seal, or you can use it as a wrapping paper. Just pasting it into your favorite things transforms the goods into Tibetan goods. It is also recommended for small gifts and souvenirs.
The story of masking tape can stick separately. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR
Masking tape is a weak adhesive tape that can be repeatedly stuck and peeled off. It can be stuck continuously with the whole story or one can break the stories into smaller stories within a story. Whatever you do, you won’t be disappointed.
Don’t forget to read my next Lhakar story.