Authentic Ukiyo-e Printmaking Experience Under Artisan Guidance at Takahashi Studio
Authentic Ukiyo-e Printmaking Experience Under Artisan Guidance at Takahashi Studio At our company, we have had the privilege of participating in an authentic Ukiyo-e printmaking experience under the guidance of real artisans at Takahashi Studio, and I am excited to share our report. Takahashi Studio is Japan’s oldest Ukiyo-e studio, with a history spanning over 160 years. The experience of creating Ukiyo-e prints under the guidance of an authentic artisan at this historic studio proved to be an unforgettable and marvelous experience. Firstly, at Takahashi Studio, we started by watching a video about Ukiyo-e printmaking while listening to the explanations from the artisans. The commentary was impressive. It thoroughly explained the division of roles in Ukiyo-e production, which includes the Hanmoto (publishers), the Eshi (painters), the Horishi (carvers), and the Surishi (printers). The publisher handles the entire process, from planning the Ukiyo-e prints, securing production funds, negotiating with painters, managing the production process, and even sales and managing the woodblock. Following the publisher’s instructions, the painter creates a preliminary sketch only in ink outlines. This ink sketch is then handed over to the carver, who carves a woodblock known as the “key block” (also called the “sumi block”) that