Mitsuo Katsui “Closed Forms II”

Based on the belief that not only the reproduction of historic ukiyo-e but also the production of “contemporary ukiyo-e” is essential to pass on traditional woodcut printing techniques to future generations, in 1979, the Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints produced and published a collection of original woodcut prints entitled “Japanese Woodcut Prints Today” with the concept of “encounter between traditional woodcut prints and contemporary artists.” “Japanese Woodcut Prints Today” is the foundation of Adachi Institute's recent collaborations with contemporary artists from both home and abroad and its production of original woodcut prints.

The project received the support of five designers and illustrators then working on the frontlines of their fields – Kiyoshi Awazu, Mitsuo Katsui, Ikko Tanaka, Shoji Yamafuji and Makoto Wada – who worked with the artisans at the Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints to produce original woodcut prints. The completed works were shown at the exhibition “Japanese Woodcut Prints Today” held at the Riccar Museum (present day Hiraki Ukiyo-e Foundation) and garnered a great deal of attention.

Together with Mitsuo Katsui, who has been a leader in the Japanese graphic design world for over half a century, we have created a highly experimental work "Closed Forms II," with six designs that challenge the limits of traditional woodcut printing techniques.