Mokuhanga

木版画 [moh-koo-hahn-gah]

For several years, I have been immersing myself in the technique of Mokuhanga. What draws me to it is, among other things, the slowness and concentration it demands. On one hand, there is the controlled, rigid framework that must be followed to achieve a perfectly registered and carved print. On the other hand, there is the immense freedom that emerges during printing.

For me, it is the perfect balance between craftsmanship and art, sculpting and painting, precision and playfulness, preparation and living in the moment. Additionally, the refinement and subtlety of Japanese prints remain a constant aspiration.

Japanese woodblock printing, or Mokuhanga, is a form of printmaking that evolved from Chinese woodblock printing. In the mid-17th century, it developed its own distinctive character, which we recognize today in prints like Hokusai’s “The Wave”.

In traditional printmaking, each print is the result of a collaboration between the artist/designer, a master carver, and a master printer. Japanese woodblock printing is one of the simplest printing techniques in terms of infrastructure, yet it requires mastery in ‘reading’ and handling the material.