竹笹堂　TAKEZASADOU | JCRAFTS.com (Japanese Crafts)

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Inheriting The Tradition of the Capital Art Print Reclaiming the Charm of the New Art Print

Craftsmen For The Modern Age The leading figure in the hand-rubbed woodblock print world, and the fourth generation of Takenaka woodblock print. Was recognized as a Craftsman for the Modern Age by the Minster of Health, Welfare, and Labor in 2003.Some of his projects include the restoration of first domestic Utamaro original print Kitsune Tsuri no Zu and Shukiku no Zu.The restoration of the natural treasure Kyujaku Myouou, on display at Ninnaji Temple in Kyoto is the world's largest and most colorful woodblock print 1300 applications.Today he continues to work as the leading figure in hand-rolled woodblock prints.

Kenji Takenaka, the fifth in the line of Takenaka woodblock print, opened the new Takezasado in 1998.Through the sales of small articles which retain the feel of the art prints that have been ordered up to now, as well as opening woodblock print classrooms, he works to broaden the horizons and convey the charms of the woodblock print industry all over the world.He has held many demonstrations and workshops at the art galleries and museums of each country around the world in an effort to widen the horizons of woodblock print.In addition to being active as a writer, his critically acclaimed work River Shijo is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, one of the three largest museums in the world.

Continually Creating New Things…That is the Japanese Spirit

The traditional Japanese woodblock print, from the Edo Period, has been inherited in the current age through the work of painters, engravers, and printers.
At Takenaka Woodblock Prints, where we undertake the final step of the hand-roll, the family heads over the years have studied and inherited the skills of woodblock printing for over 100 years.

Using the works of the model artists "Utamaro", "Hiroshige", and "Hokusai", Takezasado Modern Age Craftsman Seihachi Takenaka carefully paints each piece one by one by hand.
Kenji Takenaka's creation "River Shijo" is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, one of the three largest museums in the world.

Ukiyo-e, representative of Japan and made by Edo Period artists such as Sharaku Toushusai, are primarily woodblock prints.
Ukiyo-e, an original Japanese creation, received high praise during the Meiji Era as a work of art from Europe and America. Before the printing processes of today, woodblock prints were made using the available resources and skills for a deeply rooted history.
Woodblock prints are such named for the lumber pressing plates which are used on the letterpress printing block.
A chisel is used to dig out grooves. Although multiple woodblocks can be used for the printing of many colors, in order to reduce abrasion and wear on the woodblocks, and create a stable and well-preserved image, the number of printers is limited.
Although the labor is divided up between the painter, the engraver, and the hand-rubber, in order to create a skilled art such as this, all three must work in unison to complete the wonderful woodblock.


Kenji Takenaka's woodblock print, "Arashiyama Cherry Blossom"	White and cherry blossom colors are rubbed on the same woodblock. The skill of the art print allows for many patterns on few woodblocks.	Completion of one sheet of "Arashiyama Cherry Blossom" requires 20 repeated, full rubs.	The art print is created by dividing the labor up between a painter, an engraver, and a rubber. Takenaka Woodblock Prints handles the final step of the process, the rubbing.

The Echizen Houshou paper made by nationally treasured artist Ichibei Iwano at Takezasado is made from great detail.
Any dirt found on the paper is removed by hand one by one, for a delicately finished Japanese paper that excels in its endurance and is the most appropriate for woodblock prints.

In order to reduce abrasion and wear on the woodblocks, and create a stable and well-preserved image, the number of printers has been limited. Each printing press woodblock has been allocated a serial number, which is used in regulation
The items of Takezasado have also received the serial number, which denotes that there is only one of its kind in the entire world.

		Received the "Medal of Honor With Yellow Ribbon" from the Emperor of Japan in 2005
		Received the "Craftsman of the Modern Age" award in 2003

	A shop that, for 100 years or more, has steadily protected the ideas of its father through inheriting traditions, skills, and trades, may receive the "Craftsman of Kyoto" and the "Old-Established Shop of Kyoto" from the Kyoto Prefecture Governor.