Kenji Takenaka WoodBlock-Print Arts

WoodBlock-Print is a printing technique in which a design is carved into a woodblock, then inked and printed on paper. As typified by ukiyo-e, it allows for multi-color printing and delicate expression. The division of labor between the artist, carver, and printer allowed for both mass production and artistry.

Ukiyo-e are paintings that reflect the culture of the common people in the Edo period. The development of woodblock printing techniques made it possible to mass-produce them and reduce costs, which led to their widespread popularity among the common people. In the early days, they focused on portraits, but later came to depict a variety of subjects, including landscapes. They influenced artists overseas, and today they are also valued as historical documents.