Learn the Art of Mokuhanga
You have probably seen some amazing Japanese woodblock prints and wondered how it’s made. Making these prints is what is known as mokuhanga. The word moku means ‘wood,’ and hanga means ‘prints.’ And you can learn the centuries-old step by step process with an experienced teacher at one of these ukiyo-e workshops in Japan.
- The Mokuhankan Ukiyo-e Workshop
- The Kyoto International Mokuhanga School
- Special events
- University printmaking degrees
The Mokuhankan Ukiyo-e Workshop
Kent Wang from London, United Kingdom, Mokuhankan (16200105176) (2), CC BY-SA 2.0
The Mokuhankan Ukiyo-e Workshop, located in Tokyo, is run by Canadian-born David Bull. David has been a resident of Japan for decades and has been a practitioner of ukiyo-e for the last 30 years. His studio in the Asakusa district is where he holds ‘Print Parties.’ Print parties, which last an hour on average, are the ideal opportunity for individuals and small groups of people who want to come in and make woodblock prints from pre-made blocks – which is perfect for those who do not have the time to undergo the entire learning experience.
Visit the official website here for more information.
The Kyoto International Mokuhanga School
The Kyoto International Mokuhanga School first opened for business in 2015. It’s run by US-born Richard Steiner, a Kyoto resident since 1972, and a woodblock printer with 45 years experience. The school offers both short term (a couple of days) to long term (3 months and longer) courses where you will learn the entire process from start to finish.
Visit the official website here for more information.
Alternative options
If the options seem limited, that’s because they are. There are other options available, which we will list below, but these are either very infrequent events or require more money and commitment.
Special events
Several one-day long ukiyo-e workshops are held at certain times of the year across Japan. Ukiyo-e print masters hold most of these events, and also some art schools and even art museums. The best way to know when and where one is taking place is by regularly visiting event websites.
University printmaking degrees
There are 4-year long art degrees specializing in woodblock prints, which one can take at various Japanese universities. This is obviously not for the slightly curious or part-time hobbyist, but if you are interested in an art degree with a focus on Japanese printmaking, visit the Kyoto Seika University website.