Ukiyoe is not only a traditional form of Japanese art, but also an inheritance of past Japanese culture that we can be proud of. Recently "Ukiyoe" art has become of such great interest in many parts of the world that it has been retained in private museums and collections, many of which are hidden from the public eye.

However, even today, there is a small group of craftsmen who are trying their utmost to continue this Japanese art form much as it was practiced in the Edo period. The techniques they use for the carving and the finishing of each individual piece are exactly as they were in the Edo period.

Each piece has to be individually crafted and takes many months to complete. We are striving to ensure that in the future "Ukiyoe" art will continue to be handed down, generation after generation. We hope that you will look at this "Ukiyoe" art and appreciate the true value of its Edo flavor.

Making Process

1. Jizzumi Chokoku: Carving the outline. The outline of the woodprint is carved into the basic board.
2. Irowke: Color separation. The artist decides on the colors of the various sections of the print.
3. Iroita Chokoku: Carving the color board. A separate board is carved for each color of the final print.
4. Ita Awase: Applying the color. Color is applied to the color boards that are imprinted on the basic board.
5. Honzuri: Making the print. The colors from the basic board are imprinted on the final print.

Printing: Printing the color on a section of a color-separated woodblock.

Carving: Carving the Jizumi, or basic board - the most important step in wood printing.

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