Art of Printing

The best-known example of Japanese art that used printing techniques must be ukiyo-e from the Edo period (1603-1868). Multiple copies can be produced by printing, so this method was used where many copies were needed. However, many different works, besides ukiyo-e were produced in this method since much earlier. Early works were mainly sutras and Buddhist images. "Stamped Buddhas", paper sheets with many stamped Buddhist images to dedicate to temples, and Buddhist woodblock prints were mass-produced to meet the great demand from worshippers and preachers. During the Heian period (794-1192), printing techniques were used to decorate paper for writing poems to enhance the beauty of the flowing written characters.

During the Edo period printed books with illustrations became popular, which led to the emergence of ukiyo-e prints. Starting from black monochrome works, ukiyo-e prints evolved into elaborate polychrome works printed many times using different blocks in the mid-18th century.

This display features some of such works, including "stamped Buddhas", woodblock print mandalas, decorated paper for writing poems in kana letters as well as examples to show the polychrome printing process and woodblocks.

At Education Center in the Hyokeikan, in conjunction with this display, we offer educational programs including demonstration of traditional woodblock printing (December 1 and 2, 11:00-12:00) and a workshop to experience decorating paper with printing methods (daily, 11:00-16:00).