Book "Woodblock Traditional techniques and its design: History of printing cultures by illustrator, engraver, printer; Tripartite collaboration"

This book carefully explains the history, techniques, and future of "woodblock prints" using illustrations and visuals with high resource value.
A useful book for those involved in art and crafts, as well as young writers and artists to own.

“Woodblock printing'' is a technique in which letters and images are transferred onto paper by a wooden board which is done by creating irregularities with a knife and then adding color to the irregularities and pressing them onto a sheet of paper. By using multiple blocks printing in various colors were developed in Japan, this technique is exemplified by ukiyo-e.
In addition, such technique is not only history of publishing and printed matter, but also is a traditional craft that has been passed down along with lifestyles, and can be said to be life history of mankind.
Even though machine printing has become the mainstream, the unique texture of hand-printed woodblock prints attracts many designers and artists involved in paper, and adopted in a variety of printed materials and works.

This book introduces the techniques centered on engraving and printing by the long-established Kyoto-based “Takenaka Woodblock Takesasado'' with detailed explanations, covering history of the period when woodblock prints were introduced along with Buddhism to when ukiyo-e was at its peak and matured during the Edo period, to modern woodblock prints that continue to update traditional techniques. The content explores the history of Japanese woodblock printing, using an abundance of resources unique to a long-established store.

You will find in this book procedures of old woodblock prints that have been kept in temples and museums are being reprinted and published both in Japan and abroad as part of activities to “revitalize woodblock prints as historical heritage''. The content is highly valuable as a resource, having numerous illustrations and beautiful visuals, at the same time this book is a useful reference not only for those involved in art and crafts, but also for young writers and artists.

[Publisized content]

Chapter 1: History of woodblock printing, birth of woodblock printing/Start of printing industry/Appearance of Ukiyo-e Other
Chapter 2: Chores of woodblock printing trajectory of printer and the wood block/wood block printing as commercial printing
Chapter 3: Methods of woodblock printing procedures of Ukiyo-e/Collaboration of Illustrator, Engraver, and the Printer
Chapter 4: Designs of modern woodblock printing Visiting the craftsmen who support woodblock prints: Echizen Washi, Iwano Ichibe, the village of washi
Chapter 5: Woodblock prints of the future

[Author profile]

Kenji Takenaka

5th Generation printer of Takenaka Woodblock.
Representative of Takesasado/woodblock artist.
Born in 1970 in Kyoto. As a printer of Kyoto print, actively inheriting traditional woodblock technique, recreating lost techniques and researching and reconstructing old wood blocks.
In addition, holding workshops and collaborating with artists from both within Japan and abroad.
Works are collected in collections of National Library of France and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and more.
Vice-chairman of the Kyoto Woodblock Printing Crafts Association, special co-researcher of Kyoto Seika University Traditional Industry Innovation center.
Publication “First woodblock of Kyoto Takesasado” (publisher Mitsumura Suiko Shoin)

Yuji Yonehara

Writer, Chief of Kyoto Seika University Traditional Industry Innovation center.
Born in 1977 in Kyoto. Based in Kyoto writes about crafts while active in social studies and education from the view point of craft.
Became the Chief of Kyoto Seika University Traditional Industry Innovation center in 2018.
Major books written are “Craftsman of Kyoto - Palm of a artisan” ”Long established stores of Kyoto – The Heart of Noren” (both co author, Suiyosha), “Kyoto craftsman blues” (Keihanshin Elmagazine Co.), “Early modern enthronement ceremony – viewing techniques of craftsman through Higashiyama Emperor coronation ceremony model -” (co author, Seigensha) and more.

[Book Overview]

Title: Woodblock Traditional techniques and its design: History of printing cultures by illustrator, engraver, printer; Tripartite collaboration
Authors: Kenji Takenaka, Yuji Yonehara
Specifications: B5 variable size, 224 pages, Full color
Release date: Friday, December 3, 2021
ISBN: 978-4-416-62152-3
Publisher: Seibundo Shinkosha