American Artist’s Washi Paper Saves Japanese Landmark

An American backpacker's brief stop in Japan has turned into a lifetime mission to preserve its culture with art. Sarah Brayer arrived in 1979 and never left. She is now a world-renowned visual artist. She is famous for her pioneering work with *washi*, traditional Japanese paper. Her latest project is her most ambitious. Brayer is using her art to support and revitalize a major cultural institution in her adopted country. She creates large, luminous washi pieces. These works are drawing new audiences and attention to a historic site. Brayer’s journey shows how an outsider’s perspective can help protect a national treasure.