Vintage hand crafted Japanese Woodblock Print Hokusai

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

Beautiful Framed Hokusai Hand done reproduction. Image is 9 3/4 in. X 14 1/2 in. printed slightly off center on 16 X 10 3/4 in paper. See provenance on back. I believe this is from the 1970's, but could be somewhat newer. is some information about the process from the Uchida Art Co. Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints Supported by 300 years of tradition, the technique of wood engraving for producing UKIYO-E prints is well inherited to the present time. The reproduction of UKIYO-E prints is done by practising the Japanese original skill of craftmanship. The materials and method used for the reproduced UKIYO-E prints are exactly the same as in the past. These UKIYO-E print reproductions are rated very highly among many people around the world as Japanese traditional works of art. Exact line reproduction is achieved by using a verified original print from one of the world's major Ukiyo-e collections. The blocks are carved by master engravers to duplicate exactly the same lines as the original print. This engraving requires delicate sensitivity and persistence. Old cherry wood is used for the blocks. Printing is done by hand employing the same processes as were used on the original print. This stage is tedious and painstaking, for each color has to be printed from its own block. All prints are made on Japanese handmade paper from koio (paper mulberry), employing natural-dye colors, the same as used on the originals. Careful research and an adnce to the highest standards of Japanese craftsmanship have enabled the Adachi Institute to reproduce the originals with the greatest of accuracy. Uchida Art Company Japanese woodblock printing originated in ancient China and was brought to Japan with the introduction of Buddhism. Japanese woodblock prints, or Ukiyoe color prints, are a type of Japanese painting. They are considered a traditional art form and are eagerly sought after by art connoisseurs. This printing form, which represents a uniquely Japanese art, marked a new epoch in painting and in the art world in general. The art of woodblock printing had its golden age in the 18th century. Towards the end of the 18th century two distinct groups had evolved: the Hokusai who excelled in the animated depiction of all subjects - both in nature and in human affairs: and the Hiroshige, who were unsurpassed in the depiction of Japan's rare beauty in the classical Japanese style. These artists competed with each other to gain popularity among the common people; and. In the process, they enlivened the Ukiyoe world with their own respective styles. Consequently, the woodblock prints became more and more refined. Woodblock printing has attracted such talented artists as Toyokuni, Utamaro, Hokusai, Hiroshige, Sharaku, Kunisada, Kuniyoshi, and Sadanobu. Among the leading contemporary artists in this specialized field are Hiroshi Yoshida, Shinsui Itoh, Hasui Kawase, Goyo Hashiguchi. Koshiro Onchi, Tomikichiro Tokuriki, Eiichi Kotozuka, Benji Asada, Sadanobu Hasegawa, Kin-u Takeshita, and Sanzo Wada. In the process of making the woodblock print, the designer traces the lines of the original picture onto several sheets of thin paper. He applies the colors one after another using a different sheet for each color. The carver then places the thin paper on blocks made from cherry wood and engraves the blocks with the appropriate chisels and gouges. One block is carved for each color. From the hands of the carver, the blocks are taken to the printer who arranges the blocks in consecutive order and prints them on Japanese rice paper (which is made from mulberry bark). At present our company is striving to advance the art of woodblock printing. We represent such modern artists (the Showa period) as E. Kotozuka, T. Tokuriki, B. Asada, and S. Hasegawa. These artists specialize in scenery, figures, and historical pictures. In cooperation with the artists, we try our best to produce 20th century prints using inherited, but much improved techniques, of Ukiyoe. To achieve the maximum effect requires the harmonious blending of the skills... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.