The Craft Behind Japanese Woodblock Prints: From Edo Ukiyo-e to Global Influence

The roots of Japanese woodblock printing can be traced back to China in the 7th century CE, where it was initially used for religious texts and imagery before making its way to Korea and Japan. By the 12th and 13th centuries, black sumi ink was utilized in Buddhist temples in Kyoto and Kamakura. This art form thrived during the Edo period (1603–1868), giving rise to ukiyo-e. Hishikawa Moronobu (1618–1694) is credited with producing the first ukiyo-e prints. The process involved a team comprising a publisher, artist, carver, and printer, starting with a preliminary sketch (genga) and an outline drawing (sen-gaki) on cherry wood blocks. Color printing emerged in the 1720s, featuring natural pigments, with Prussian blue becoming significant by the 18th century. Proper storage and handling of prints are essential. Hokusai and Hiroshige later impacted Western artists in the late 19th century through Japonisme.