Maintained by Japanese publisher Hanzo ukiyo-e It lives on a unique reinterpretation of traditional woodblock prints featuring popular characters such as Doraemon, Crayon Shinchan, and Godzilla.
Will North Korea meet Doraemon?
Fans of Japanese anime and manga series Doraemon Robot cats are well versed in the ability to travel to past ages. Publisher Hayashi uses this reputation to recreate famous works by masters from Beijing and Hiroshima, featuring Doraemon and friends traveling around Edo (now Tokyo). The cleverly crafted prints are made using traditional techniques and provide reliability that complements pop culture values.
Japanese traditional wooden block print, ukiyo-eplayed an important role in the lives of the Edo residents. Appearing in the 17th century, they were mass media of the time, bringing news and information, promoting the latest trends and providing entertainment. Artists such as Kitano Katsushika (1760–1849), Uitagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), and Uitamaro (1753–1806) create scenes and portraits that are admired for the beauty and skill of the day.
production ukiyo-e It was a collaborative process that included an army of unknown artisans, ranging from painters who created original designs to sculptors who carved images on wooden blocks, to printers that applied layers after layers of ink to sheets of paper. The entire process was managed by a publisher called Hirano.
Workers produce ukiyo-e At the book publisher’s workshop in the series scene Imayou harmed Kiyokawa shokunin Yutagawa Toyokuni III. (Course of the edo-tokyo Museum Archives)
Today, only a few publishers still produce wood block prints. One such modern Hirano My name is Sano Eiji, the president of Han Books based in Tokyo. Following tradition, he works with talented painters, sculptors and printers to create stunning works that push the boundaries of tradition by including modern manga and anime themes.
Han Book President Sato Eiji was in his 20s when he quit his job at a trading company and began publishing. ukiyo-e. (© nippon.com))
Hanzo’s signature ukiyo-e A series featuring characters from Doraemon It’s a whimsical reinterpretation of the classics. They are popular in Japan and abroad, and in many of the company’s new releases, they usually come out at a once-a-year pace and sell out in a short period of time.
From the top: North Korea’s Katsushika Mitsui Shop in Surugachou, Edo From him 36 views of Mt. Fuji. (Courtes of the Metropolitan Museum of Art); Doraemon and Friends live in Hanzō’s scene ukiyo-e. (Hometown Z; ©Fujiko-pro)
Modern pop culture invades Edo
Along with a remake based on the famous Dorarimon ukiyo-e In the work, Hantso offers a stunning lineup of prints featuring iconic Japanese characters such as Godzilla and Crayon Shinchan, Darth Vader, Yoda and other names from the Star Wars universe, as well as Godzilla and Crayon Shinchan.
Entertainment companies are fiercely defending their intellectual property, and Sakai says collaborations usually involve lengthy negotiations, especially when it comes to character recasting. ukiyo-e Medium. In the Star War series, Han traveled back and forth with the Walt Disney Company for a year on the use of Japanese colours, outfits and other traditional elements. Sakai declares, “The fact that we were allowed to create the original interpretation shows high respect. ukiyo-e I enjoy the form. ”
From above: Hiroshige’s Hara Print from him 53 stations in Tokai. (To Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library); Remake of prints featuring manga and anime characters Crayon Shinchan. (Courtesy Hanzō;©Usui Yoshito/Futabasha/Shin-ei Animation/TV Asahi/ADK 2025)
Han has a different partnership with popular smartphone games Fate/Great Order. The game brings together an army of dedicated young Japanese players and invades overseas with gameplay and character lineups inspired by legendary figures such as literature, history and more.
From left: Woodblock print from Holy Grail War A series featuring servant Altria Pendragon. The heroic spirit of Rider Ushiwakamaru. (Helper Za;©Type-Moon/FGO Project)
Traditional craftsmanship
Sakai previously worked for another publishing company, but discovered Hanzō about 20 years ago and left with the aim of preserving Woodblock printing techniques and traditions, first developed in the Edo period (1603–1868). The industry is steadily decreasing in the number of skilled practitioners, and Sano has launched Kanji to support modern times. ukiyo-e The artisan who earned income from skills guaranteed that the wonders of woodblock prints were passed down to future generations.
Until the 1980s there was still a lucrative market for original wood block prints by well-known artists. However, in the early 1990s, a slump caused by the bursting of Japanese asset markets caused demand to slump, forcing publishers to shift their focus to recreating famous works from past Masters of the genre. However, inexpensive replicas provided only a small income, and many craftsmen cut their tools without telling their skills to apprentice.
Sakai participated ukiyo-e The publishing industry during this period. “I wasn’t portrayed that much in itself,” he explains. “In fact, I wanted to preserve traditional sculpture and printing techniques and work with young people to let them know about the existence of these incredible skills.”
Woodblock prints have become primarily appreciated as works of art, but their roots are firmly lie in Edo’s popular culture. Sakai has seen her counterparts in modern entertainment like manga and anime, and it was a fascinating hope for young people that inspired her to feature today’s pop culture characters. He didn’t expect his efforts to peak in fans’ interests well beyond the borders of Japan.
Han had practical things ukiyo-e The event at Hotel Grace, located in Shinuku, Tokyo, is a popular accommodation for international visitors. (© nippon.com))
The event featured a demonstration by Titsui Hirokazu, the second-generation woodblock printer. (© nippon.com))
Wood block print production is an expensive and time-consuming process. The basic materials are as expensive as Japanese paper where the wooden blocks themselves and the design are painted and the final image is printed. Then there are skilled sculptors and printers. They may work in single pieces for a few weeks. This limits the number of prints Hanzō can publish, allowing the current team of artisans to create around five to six new works per year.
Still, Han received a stable stream of offers for an alliance featuring copyrighted characters. Sakai says he wants to take advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible. ukiyo-e. “However, logistics involved with the unpredictability of the publishing market make this a difficult goal, and creates kanji along with the prints of the wooden blocks. ukiyo-e A work that can be reproduced with a high-resolution inkjet printer.
Han uses wood blocks made from high quality cherry wood. (© nippon.com))
Limited Edition Neon ukiyo-e A fabric board featuring Godzilla from Tokyo (left) and Osaka. (Provided by Hanzō; TM, ©Toho Co., Ltd.)
Another project by Hanzō is the cover recreation of the 1905 first edition of French composer Claude Debussy’s in 1905 La MarBased on the symbolism of North Korea Big waves from Kanagawa. Sakai has created a stunning piece that retains the color scheme and other aspects of the original and emphasizes the skills of ukiyo-e Artisan. It was released to match the North Sea masterpiece featured on Japan’s latest 1,000 yen bill, and various versions of work are available for purchase.
La Mer: Orchestra Corefirst printing (left); original painting la mer (vagues vertes jade) Comes with platinum leaf. (Helper Z style)
Saga declares his commitment to pay attention ukiyo-e By drawing new fans by emphasizing new collaborations and art style techniques and beauty. “We want to create buzz and encourage young people to learn traditional ways of wood block printing while the current artisans can still convey their skills.”
(Originally published in Japanese. Banner photo: Dorarimon and other characters live in the reproduction of the characters. Shin-Hashi Bridge and Atake’s sudden shower From Hiroshige’s Woodblock Print series 100 famous scenery of Edo. Welfare Service; ©Fujiko-Pro. )
