skip to Main Content

Discover Ukiyo-e in Townsville

An intimate demonstration of Japanese woodblock printing

February 26, 2018

Travelling from Japan, ukiyo-e experts will demonstrate traditional printmaking techniques still practiced today, and introduce the rich history of Japan’s woodblock printing tradition. Yukiko Takahashi, a publisher of traditional woodblock prints and the sixth-generation owner of Takahashi atelier, along with woodblock printer Kyoko Hirai will share their expertise.

Takahashi will begin the event with a lecture on the history and background of ukiyo-e woodblock prints. This genre of prints gained popularity in the late Edo-period when aristocratic and samurai rule came to an end. As peace flourished, the general public came to enjoy arts and culture. During this time, ukiyo-e primarily functioned as flyers and newsletters, disseminating information about local news, such as kabuki, sumo, travelling, haiku and tanka, sightseeing, and so on.

This event is an opportunity for local printmakers, artists, and interested members of the public to see a live ukiyo-e demonstration and discover the intricate tools, such as Japanese rice paper, the disk-shaped pad and wood blocks, used for creating the prints.

Part of the Manga Hokusai Manga travelling exhibition on display at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery.

Program Outline

6:00pm Talk on ukiyo-e by Yukiko Takahashi (60 mins)
7:00pm Demonstration by Kyoko Hirai (60 mins)

Please note: The duration of each session may change at the discretion of the presenters.

ABOUT YUKIKO TAKAHASHI

Publisher of traditional woodblock prints; Sixth-generation owner of the Takahashi atelier

Takahashi’s family have been publishers of traditional woodblock prints since the late 1850s. Besides prints created in the ukiyo-e style, she also works on the reproduction of Japanese style paintings and contemporary paintings using traditional woodblock printing techniques. Takahashi is also an educator, frequently lecturing on ukiyo-e at educational institutions in Japan and overseas.

ABOUT KYOKO HIRAI

Woodblock printer

Kyoko Hirai graduated from Kyoto Seika University, where she majored in printmaking (hanga), in 1996. After graduation, she trained as an apprentice under Keizo Sato, a master printer (Ukiyo-e Woodblock Printing Guild, Kyoto). She is currently a professional printer specialising in traditional techniques and runs workshops and demonstrations both locally and internationally.

Presented by

In partnership with

EVENT DETAILS

February 26, 2018 (Monday)
6-8pm

VENUE
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
Cnr. Flinders and Denham St,
Townsville QLD 4810

ADMISSION
Free. Limited spaces; bookings essential.

Places are now booked out. For further enquiries, please contact Perc Tucker Regional Gallery at
(07) 4727 9011 or email

MANGA HOKUSAI MANGA

EXHIBITION DETAILS

February 13 – March 11, 2018
Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm
Sat-Sun: 10am-2pm

ENQUIRIES

(07) 4727 9011

Back To Top