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		About Me: ukiyoe( 907)

An Appreciation of Japanese Woodblock Prints

Escape With Me to "Old Japan"

As a collector and avid admirer of Japanese woodblock prints, on each occasion I spend moments -- be it brief minutes or long hours -- with my prints or admiring the collections of others, I find myself inexplicably transformed not only in time, but also in "place," temperament, and even existence. Undoubtedly my previous trips to Japan (including a 21 day, 1,000 mile solo bicycle trip of southern Japan) now help to facilitate this transformation, however the same odd feelings were experienced even prior to my first trip abroad. Words such as "dreamlike," "hypnotic," and "mystical" do not seem to even fully describe the degree to which these magical works of art move me. But in their viewing, I find myself clearly taken from the present and moved back in time. Current daily concerns and the pull of trivial obligations simply fade away. At the same time, feelings of anger, tenseness, or stress are often so softened that they simply seem to vanish.

My personal sense of appreciation and respect for this art we call "Japanese woodblock prints" was greatly deepened when a few years ago I spent some 20 to 30 tedious hours to produce my own personal 5 x 7 inch, simple two-color woodblock ("Crows on a Branch"). In doing so, I found myself humbled beyond belief. From this firsthand experience and from the countless hours I have spent in study of this art form, my respect is so heightened that I believe Japanese woodblocks to be clearly among mankind finest works of art. The Japanese artisans have so completely captured the beauty and essence of their native land, that it is with awe and admiration we are today able view the recorded visions they've left us in the form of woodblocks. They are truly magnificent artworks marvels of line, composition, color and mood.

(Portions excerpted from author's 1999 article, "Repairing Japanese Woodblock Prints" by Thomas Crossland)

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Articles Written by eBay Seller "ukiyoe," Thomas A. Crossland

Listed just below are a series of short articles that Ie written relating (at least indirectly) in some way to Japanese woodblock prints. I hopeful that youl find these articles to be both interesting and worthwhile. Many additional articles can be found at the avorite Linkssites referenced further below. Enjoy!!

Article 1: Modern Day Woodblock Printers Still Working in Japan Article 2: JAPAN SOLO 1995 21 Days, 1,000 Miles, by Bicycle Article 3: Crows, As Seen In Japanese Prints (from Author Collection) Article 4: Deluxe Printing Techniques--"Gauffrage" (Embossing) *NEW* Article 5: "Hanshita," or Black Ink "Key-block" Outlines *NEW* Article 6: (coming soon....future postings via Ukiyoe-Gallery.com website) Here also is another article about Repairing Japanese Woodblock Prints that I wrote in 1999 for the ShinHangaNet website.

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About this Page.......and our NEW "Ukiyoe-Gallery.com" website

It had been my intent to continue actively updating this "About Me Page" on a frequent basis, striving to make its content both educational and entertaining. However, to avoid duplication in my efforts to share with readers various aspects of "woodblock collecting" and "old Japanese culture" that will not likley be learned elsewhere--I have instead recently begun my own website in conjunction with Dr. Andreas Grund of Tokyo, Japan. We therefore now invite you to visit our new "Ukiyoe-Gallery.com" website's EXTENSIVE "Library" page which is packed with both "quick references" as well as numerous other lengthy "articles" about Japanese woodblocks.

As a Seller on eBay of now over 850 Japanese woodblocks, it has been my good fortune to blend together my long-time avid passion of collecting woodblocks with my sincere interest in sharing this interest with others. It has additionally been my good fortune to be married to a wonderful, native-born Japanese wife (Hisako) who is also now a professional J/E, E/J translator. Through this relationship, I have thusly been afforded the opportunity to pursue my deep and long-standing interest of "old Japanse culture" on a firsthand basis, including two (21 day and 12 day) solo bicycle trips made deep into "old Japan" as well as numerous other trips throughout Japan by more conventional means.



FUTURE UPDATES soon to be seen may/will include:

Highlights and Photos of my 1997 Bicycle Trip

Matting and Framing of Japanese Woodblocks

Thoughts on Collecting

Author's "Kameido Shrine Collection" of Japanese Woodblocks (eductional)

Author's "Kuchi-e (frontispiece to novels) Collection" (educational)

Author's Antique Scroll Collection (educational)

Many other Topics (Your Suggestions and Comments are Most Welcome)

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Seller/Author Beginning 21 day/1,000 mile Solo Bicycle Trip of Japan (1995)

Favorite Links

Ukiyoe-Gallery (educational)

ShinHanga Users Group (educational)

Hanga Gallery (educational)

Shotei Website (educational)

The above page is maintained by: ukiyoe( 907)

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