Japanese Woodblock Printmaking: Shōsōin Patterns in Colour
The Shōsōin is a remarkable time capsule of a building, preserving thousands of artifacts that reveal Nara, Japan’s role at the eastern edge of the Silk Road. From Buddhist devotional items and intricate jewelry to richly woven textiles, these treasures reflect a vibrant blend of cultural influences —from China and Korea to Persia and the Mediterranean—showcasing the global connections that shaped Japan’s history.
This course will take inspiration from the patterns that decorate textiles found in the Shōsōin, with an opportunity to develop a design that takes inspiration from your own culture.
In this course, students will learn how to incorporate colour into their designs, creating compositions suitable for colour woodblock printing.
You will follow a step-by-step process for producing a colour woodblock print, including mastering the Japanese registration technique (Kento). In addition to creating a print, the course covers detailed guidance on using and caring for tools, brushes, and papers. By the end, students will have the skills and confidence to produce their own prints independently.
Pre-requisite: You must have previously completed the Japanese Woodblock Printmaking (Black and White) course at the School before enrolling in this course.
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The Shōsōin is a remarkable time capsule of a building, preserving thousands of artifacts that reveal Nara, Japan’s role at the eastern edge of the Silk Road. From Buddhist devotional items and intricate jewelry to richly woven textiles, these treasures reflect a vibrant blend of cultural influences —from China and Korea to Persia and the Mediterranean—showcasing the global connections that shaped Japan’s history.
This course will take inspiration from the patterns that decorate textiles found in the Shōsōin, with an opportunity to develop a design that takes inspiration from your own culture.
In this course, students will learn how to incorporate colour into their designs, creating compositions suitable for colour woodblock printing.
You will follow a step-by-step process for producing a colour woodblock print, including mastering the Japanese registration technique (Kento). In addition to creating a print, the course covers detailed guidance on using and caring for tools, brushes, and papers. By the end, students will have the skills and confidence to produce their own prints independently.
Pre-requisite: You must have previously completed the Japanese Woodblock Printmaking (Black and White) course at the School before enrolling in this course.
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