Enchanting Edo: Tokyo shop protects woodblock print technology behind Japan's ukiyo-e
July 13, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
A reproduction of "Kabuki Actor Otani Oniji III as Yakko Edobei," an ukiyo-e work by painter Toshusai Sharaku, is seen complete with the "eshi" painter's name, at Takahashi Kobo in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward on June 10, 2020. (Mainichi/Emi Naito)=Click/tap photo for more images.
TOKYO -- As a craftsman moved a small rubbing pad to apply pressure on Japanese washi paper against a woodblock, the large face of a kabuki actor depicted in a famous "ukiyo-e" print gradually emerged to the surface as pigments were impressed onto the paper.