PREFATORY NOTE
This pamphlet has been prepared by Mr. Edward F. Strange, of the Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design, for use primarily in connection with a collection of Tools, Materials and Examples, specially brought together and now exhibited in the Museum, to illustrate the technique of Japanese Colour-printing from wood-blocks. The descriptive matter has been somewhat amplified, in order to render it of value to those who cannot immediately refer to the Museum collections.
The works of reference consulted, are named herein; and acknowledgment must also be made to Mr. Hogitaro Inada, for translations from the Japanese, kindly supplied by him.
CECIL SMITH.
Victoria and Albert Museum, 1913.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
- [UTAMARO.—Yedo Meibutsu Nishikiye Kosaku. “The making of colour-prints, the famous product of Yedo: after the engraver's rough engraving the design is carefully carved.” An illustration of the carving of wood-blocks fancifully represented as being done by women. From a print in the Victoria and Albert Museum. J. 5040.]
- [DIAGRAM:——Method of framing a block to prevent warping.]
- [DIAGRAM:—The Baren.—Its internal construction]
- [DIAGRAM:—The Baren.—Position of pad in sheath.]
- [DIAGRAM:—The Baren.—Method of use.]
- [DIAGRAM:—Printer's Desk.]
- [HOKUSAI.—Original drawing for the key-block of an unpublished colour-print in the series called “The Hundred Poets explained by the Nurse.” A junk, with straw sail, conveying three travellers; at the bow a breaking wave. At the top right-hand corner is a poem by Hoshoji no Nyudo Saki no Kwampaku Daijo Daijin. O'er the wide sea plain, / As I row and look around, It appears to me / That the white waves, far away, / Are the ever-shining sky. From a drawing in the Victoria and Albert Museum. J. D. 1447.]
- [TOYOKUNI. I.—Working proof from the key-block of a colour-print. A theatrical scene; with the actors Nakayama Tomisaburo and Ichikawa Komazo in the parts of the Geisha Sankatsu and Hanshichi. The artist has added a wash of red colour to the print, with the following MS. note to the printer, “Please gradate the colour like this.” From a print in the Victoria and Albert Museum. J. 8494.]