Experience Ukiyo-e Making with Authentic Artisans in Tokyo

Printers: How to Experience Ukiyo-e Making with Authentic Artisans in Tokyo(3) Edo Woodblock Prints Rely on the Collaboration of All Four Artisans Edo woodblock prints are a comprehensive art form that comes to life only when all four artisans— the “Eshi (painters)” who draw the initial design, the “Horishi (carvers)” who meticulously carve each color block, the “Surishi (printers)” who layer the colors onto paper using a baren, and the publishing house, known as the “Hanmoto (publishers),” responsible for planning and overseeing the production—come together. The Printers Are Essential in the Final Stages of Woodblock Printing So far, we’ve discussed the roles of the painters, the carvers, and the publishers. Now, let’s delve into the role of the printers. While painters often receive the spotlight, printers and carvers rarely surface. Yet, it’s their exceptional skills that bring woodblock prints to fruition, particularly the printers who are essential in the final stages of woodblock printing. During the founding period of Takahashi Kobo (Studio), they began as printers. Nowadays, the Takahashi Studio also serves as a publisher. What Printers Do Printers meticulously layer colors, starting with the smallest and lightest blocks and gradually building up the image. They apply ink ontoread morePrinters: How to Experience Ukiyo-e Making with Authentic Artisans in Tokyo(3)

17Apr, 20242024年4月15日

Experience

Carvers: How to Experience Ukiyo-e Making with Authentic Artisans in Tokyo(2)

By ninjakotan

Carvers: How to Experience Ukiyo-e Making with Authentic Artisans in Tokyo(2) Woodblock printing in Edo-period Japan is a comprehensive art form that involves four main craftsmen: the “Eshi (painters)” who create the initial design, the “Horishi (carvers)” who carves the design onto separate wooden blocks for each color, the “Surishi (printers)” who uses a baren to transfer the design onto paper, and the “Hanmoto (publishers)” who oversees the project. In our previous discussion, we focused on the role of the “painters.” Now, let’s delve into the role of the “carvers.” While the “painters” often receive acclaim, the “carvers” and “printers” typically remain behind the scenes. However, it is their extraordinary skills that bring ukiyo-e prints to life. The “carvers” receive the design (known as a key block) from the “painters” and transfer it onto prepared wooden blocks, usually made from cherry wood. Each wooden block corresponds to a different color in the design, and the “carvers” meticulously carve away the areas that are not meant to be printed in each color. Depending on the complexity of the design, multiple wooden blocks, ranging from 5 to 20, may be required. Once all the wooden blocks are carved, they are handedread moreCarvers: How to Experience Ukiyo-e Making with Authentic Artisans in Tokyo(2)