Could it be possible for a foreign man to survive in an indigenous far-flung area where everything solely goes by the tranquillity of nature?

The man in kimono who welcomed us has proved that all of these could be possible. Asao Shimura Sr. has been living almost half of his life in Kapangan, Benguet Province, a mountainous portion of Northern Philippines and the home of the Indigenous Group known as the “Ibaloy”.

Asao shared a generous amount of his story—his previous decent life in Japan which he traded for good to settle in the Philippines, his passion that initially drove him to travel across all continents, and everything else in between setting his feet to live a life surrounded with simplicity. 

The Master Paper Maker

Shimura Sr.’s first love could be definitely his craft—the art of “Papermaking”. It began in his early 20’s when he was introduced to Washi​ or the Japanese handmade paper. His curiosity urged him to dig-in and elevate a little more. Shimura Sr. enrolled and studied papermaking and natural dye traditional workshops, and thus, this began his quest on the craft. 

His career as a papermaker has boomed and outstretched several places and led to bigger breakthroughs. He has been a favourite exhibitor and organizer in international paper conferences. Shimura Sr. had even conducted papermaking training among many groups, ages and races, until he reached the Philippines. 

“I moved to Baguio, Philippines in December 1989, because the Founder and President of Duntog Foundation asked me if I want to come to work there.”

The inquisitive Asao ventured on the broadness of his craft. He left his home country and wrestled a new life in the City of Pines, Baguio City.

Seeking for Life, Found a Home

As true blooded Japanese, he followed a very strict life’s timeline. At 40, he hoped to get married. Perhaps, not an accident that he found his other half. After two years of working in the said foundation, another opportunity came, yet irrelative to his career. Asao met an Ibaloy named Andrea. 

They got married in 1991, had three children and began to spend their lives in the calmness of Kapangan.

“I have three children: Asao Jr., Aiko, and Kenji. Actually, one stepdaughter, two step-grandchildren. So when [people are] asking, how many children do I have? I don’t know, three or six, but three [have] Japanese blood.”

Pursuing Craft

The master papermaker sought for a wider spectrum. He and his wife flew to the Island of Visayas in 1994 to initiate papermaking workshops, production and papermaking. Come 2002 to 2006, he again worked for a Japanese handmade papermaking company. 

Despite staying in a remote area, his passion has never faded. He shared everything he acquired for years. Another work of art that he demonstrated was ink making out of Konjac or Konjaku, a root crop and an herb that grows in parts of Asia. Asao seems to be the brainchild of this since konjac is mainly used for medicinal purposes.

“I am a member of IAMPA (International Organization of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artist), so maybe that’s one of beginnings. I had my demonstration [for] Konjac painting. I did Konjaku painting workshop in Baguio City.”

He feels free pursuing his passion as he is not bounded by the rules of the Japanese in terms of arts.

“If I live in Japan, maybe, I wouldn’t start konjako colouring. Japan is very strict, but I’ve been [in the Philippines for] 30 years [now].”

49  Percent Ibaloy

He was born and raised in Japan yet an immense portion of his heart belongs to the Ibaloy. Shimura Sr. admitted that he had a hard time learning the group’s language. He grasped a few of it, but mastered almost all traditions, especially the rituals that have similarities with the Japanese. 

“Japanese Shinto culture is similar, that’s why I’m very interested in Ibaloy rituals. If I could speak Ibaloy, I would be the first Japanese-Ibaloy Mambunong (ritual priest) apprentice.”

Shimura Sr. still longs to see his family in Japan, but his happiness in Kapangan is the most satisfying for him. His complete home and his passion could be his absolute definition of satisfaction. 

“If I’m doing these [paper and ink making] in Japan, maybe [there’s] no way to survive.”

Grateful

At almost seven decades, he still desires to continue his craft, work for his family and teach the people he used to be with and whoever interested to know papermaking and organic ink creation.

“This is not my retirement; I’m now starting. But if you are working in Japan for the company and then retire, you almost have no energy left, it depends, but that’s the story.”

Shimura Sr. is among the over a hundred thousand foreign nationals dwelling in the Philippines as per the 2019 report of the Bureau of Immigration. Many of them aged a lot in the country and chose to stay.

On the mountain top of Kapangan, Benguet abides a man who once upon a time travelled, found a life and a home. Asao Shimura Sr., known as the Japanese Master Papermaker, genuinely proclaims that he is also an Ibaloy by heart.

Written by Ricca Joice Adrada

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