Edo woodblock prints - Takumi Japan Online

About Edo woodblock prints

While the history of woodblock prints in Japan dates back to about 1,200 years ago, Edo woodblock prints were developed after the Edo period (1603-1868). That was largely a result of the success of Ukiyo-e painters such as Kitagawa Utamaro, Katsushika Hokusai, and Utagawa Hiroshige.
●Designated as a Traditional Craft of Japan in 2007

Techniques and developments

Edo woodblock prints are created by three professionals: a painter who draws the design, a woodcarver who engraves the design on the surfaces of wooden blocks, and a printer who prints the design on washi paper. Early prints were used only black ink and brush coloring was gradually been adopted. Following two-color and three-color printing techniques, a multi-color printing technique was established. After gorgeously colorful Ukiyo-e paints called Nishiki-e were invented, these paints became very popular among ordinal people in Edo.