The works of Yusuke Hanai are created in a unique style that fuses Japanese aesthetics with American retro illustrations. He consistently captures everyday life, ordinary scenes, or events that are slightly off from the usual in his works, which turn on a small light in the viewer's hearts. This new work, "Untitled 3," was from a shed originally displayed as a large 3D object at his solo exhibition "PebbLes AND RiPPLes" in Tokyo in June 2023. It is full of his unique story-like atmosphere, which perfectly works with the warm texture of woodcut print.
Limited edition: 100 (50/100 are sold by Adachi)
Dimension of picture: 41.0×31.0 ㎝
Dimension of frame: 56.0×44.0 ㎝ (original frame)
Specification of frame: Approx. 2.0kg, wood, acrylic resin
Type of print: Woodcut print
Paper used: Echizen kizuki hosho washi
(produced by living national treasure Ichibei Iwano)
Date of publication: 2023
Supervision: GALLERY TARGET
The Adachi Foundation for the Preservation of Woodcut Printing
Production: The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints
Delivery: Delivery will begin from the early October 2023
The key block used to print the thin outlines is the backbone of a woodcut print and is carved with painstaking care.
Carving with "Marunomi (round chisel)" and wooden hammer for the large area
Delicate carving with "Sukinomi (small chisel)" near the outline.
The woodblock of outline carved a character unique to the works of Mr. Hanai.
Appling a color onto the woodblock with a brush made from horse hair.
Printed individually by hand, each print displays the vivid colors that are blended by the printer and are a unique feature of woodcut prints.
The world of Mr. Hanai is reproduced by materials and techniques of woodcut printing.
The ukiyo-e is printed on Echizen kizuki hosho washi (a unique kind of Japanese paper) handmade from 100% paper-mulberry fibers by Ichibei Iwano, a living national treasure.
Mr. Hanai depicts casual everyday scenes of everyday people. The carver faithfully carves the facial expressions of the people while deciphering the intentions of the artist Hanai. The carver's intense focus and precision is required for the work of carving delicate lines with a single knife.
The light and brilliant colors of traditional woodcut prints are produced by using a Baren rubbing pad to rub water-based paints into the fibers of the paper, which is carefully handcrafted from paper mulberry. The printer feels the world view of Mr. Hanai's work as he mixes and prints the colors on top of one another.
Born 1978
Illustrator / Artist
Around 2006, Hanai started showing his works at The Surf Gallery, CA. The following year, Hanai participated in a group show called “THE HAPPENING.” Since then, he has been showing his works in New York, Sydney, Tokyo, London and Paris.
As an illustrator, Hanai provides art works to brands such as VANS, NIXON and BEAMS.
He is actively involved in many projects both in and outside of Japan.
Entry Period:September 22 (noon) – September 25 (noon), 2023 (Japan Time)
*Entering a drawing is limited to only one product per customer.
Please note that customers who enter multiple times will be excluded from the draw.
The entry at the Adachi showroom in person is counted as one entry.
Therefore, there is no need to enter online if you enter the drawing at the showroom.