The “The Print Generation” exhibition, held from April 15, 2024, to April 27, 2025, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., showcases a selection of creative prints that challenged the dominant narrative of what it meant to be an artist in twentieth-century Japan. This exhibition focuses on the generation of Japanese printmakers in the early decades of the 20th century who reinvented the medium by undertaking all aspects of its creation, including designing, carving, and printing. This new approach to printmaking became known as the sōsaku hanga (creative print) movement, and the resulting artworks are often rough, raw, and unique to each artist’s developing techniques and abilities.

Visitors can explore a diverse range of prints, including works from renowned artists such as Onchi Kōshirō, Shinagawa Takumi, and Sekino Jun’ichirō. The exhibition also delves into the historical and cultural context of these prints, offering a comprehensive view of this unique art form.

With around 130 original exhibits from the holdings of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, including elaborately illustrated books, rare triptychs, and single-sheet prints, the exhibition provides a deep insight into the artistry and cultural significance of Japanese woodblock printing.