Mokuhanga Magic
A Japanese woodblock print promotion project by Soetkin Everaert & Vladimir Ivaneanu.
Upcoming
| 16/11 | Workshop @ Gent |
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| until 5/1 | Expo @ Museum Kunst & Geschiedenis |
Book us
We are passionate about this! If you need aspeaker, if you want to host a workshop or demonstration, if you would like our educational mini expo in your museum, drop us a line @
[email protected]
木版画 [moh-koo-hahn-gah]
Mokuhanga, or Japanese woodcut, is a traditional printmaking technique that evolved from Chinese methods by the mid-17th century, exemplified by Hokusai’s ‘The Wave.’ One of Mokuhanga's distinctive features is the use of water-based inks, which allow for subtle colour gradations and a softer, more organic look than the bold lines of Western oil-based prints.
The Mokumap
Did you know about that Hiroshige expo in the Muzeum Sztuki i Techniki Japońskiej Manggha in Kraków? Now you do!
We want to build a world of mokuhanga index, listing museums, artists, shops, galleries, ... that have a link to mokuhanga and ukiyoe.
Your help is needed here! Send us your tips, or put yourself on the map via the form.
Master - Apprentice & Focus Vakmanschap
Since January 2023 we've been participating in a Master-Apprentice programme of the Flemish Community to promote craftsmanship. Our project has been picked up by Focus Vakmanschap which gives us an additional opportunity to go public.
Workshops
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A-Z Workshop, November 2024, Gent
3 days - beginner/intermediate
More
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Quickstart Workshop, February 2025, Gent
2 mornings - beginner/intermediate More
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A-Z Workshop, April 2025, Gent
3 days - beginner/intermediate level More
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Technical Workshop, June 2025, Gent
1 day - intermediate/experienced More
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Travelling expo
From November 2023 to Januari 2025, we travel around with a mobile exhibition
Weg van de Japanse houtsnede on Japanese woodcut throughout several Flemish cities.
The exhibition’s concept is based on the idea of a kamishibai and consists of 3 parts: the exhibition
its accompanying publication, and a live demonstration at the exhibition venue.
Mokublad
The harvest of an open call we launched in 2023: our own small newspaper presenting contemporary Mokuhanga from all over the world!
Research
We are exploring the possibilities that Japanese woodblock printmaking can offer to the European printmaking landscape as an accessible, innovative and ecological technique. In order to make the technique as accessible as possible, we are looking for local craftspeople, tools and materials.
The Japan Chronicles
In April 2024 we blogged about our unforgettable journey to Japan and the Mokuhanga Conference in Echizen.
木版画 [moh-koo-hahn-gah]
Japanese woodcut or Mokuhanga is a form of printmaking that developed from Chinese woodcut. It took on the distinct character we know today from prints such as Hokusai’s ‘The Wave’ in the mid-17th century.
Each print is the result of a collaboration between the artist/designer, a cutter and a printer. Japanese woodcut is one of the simplest printing techniques: a drawing is cut from a block of wood, then ink is applied to the block using brushes. A paper sheet is then placed on the inked block and a ‘baren’ is rubbed on the back. In this way, the ink is pressed onto the paper. A different wood block is cut for each colour.
Mokuhanga, or Japanese woodcut, is a traditional and highly craft embedded form of relief printing. The important thing about Mokuhanga is that no chemicals or solvents are used. No printing press is even needed to print; every part of the process is done manually.
Furthermore, the detailed drawing of these woodcuts and the rich, painterly use of colour are particularly striking.
