#MOKU HANGA EXAMPLES PROFESSIONAL#

#MOKU HANGA EXAMPLES PROFESSIONAL#

Professional printers created sophisticated methods that took them many years of practice to perfect in order to print a wide variety of books, prints, and advertisements. The refined techniques of mokuhanga, developed by experts in specialized workshops, give the craft a complexity that takes time to master. These materials provided the foundation for the rise of mokuhanga during the Edo period. The especially sharp cutting tools used for woodblock are forged from the same kind of bonded steel used in samurai swords and are sharpened on the same kind of water stones. The manufacture of paper and sumi ink for calligraphy, introduced from China and Korea, set the stage for the production of woodblock multiples using the same materials. An understanding of the special materials developed during that time allows artists to use them most effectively. The materials used to produce mokuhanga were developed in Japan during the country’s evolution from a feudal agrarian culture with rice as the medium of exchange into an urban money-based culture. In addition to the step-by-step chapter that outlines how a print is made, the book includes a chapter on tools and materials, and a chapter on washi, handmade Japanese paper. With experience, artists can develop an approach to woodblock printing that reflects their particular situation, technical ability, and available resources. While it includes some information about professional practice in Japan, it is written with the belief that this flexible technique can be adapted for use by individual artist-printmakers. This book was conceived as an introduction to the basics of mokuhanga for creative artists outside Japan. At once practical and inspirational, this handbook is as useful to serious printmakers and artists as it is to creative people drawn In this comprehensive guide, artist and printmaker April Vollmer-one of the best known mokuhanga practitioners and instructors in the West-combines her deep knowledge of this historic printmaking practice with expert step-by-step instruction, guidance on materials and studio practices, and a diverse collection of prints by leading contemporary artists.

An inspirational how-to course on Japanese woodblock printing's history and techniques, with guidance on materials and studio practices, step-by-step demonstrations, and examples of finished works by modern masters of the medium as well as historic pieces.Ī Modern Guide to the Ancient Art of mokuhangaĪn increasingly popular yet age-old art form, Japanese woodblock printing ( mokuhanga) is embraced for its non-toxic character, use of handmade materials, and easy integration with other printmaking techniques.

Moku hanga examples