Encounter between traditional woodcut prints and contemporary artists in 1979
A collection of original woodcut prints entitled “Japanese Woodcut Prints Today”
Makoto Wada "Six Stars on the Screen"
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.
Here, we are featuring the works of one of the artists and the illustrator, Makoto Wada, who passed away in 2019. It is a series entitled “Six Stars on the Screen” depicting great actors and a musician from foreign films.
Photo by Hiroko Yoshida
Makoto Wada
Illustrator, Graphic Designer. Born in 1936. The work has spanned illustration, book design, children books, film, animation, songwriting, essays, Japanese haiku, and exhibitions, numerous works have been produced and continue to be produced up to the present day. Has written more than 200 books including “You Ain’t Heard Nothin’ Yet”, “Posterland”, “I’ve Head that Song Before”, “Wada Makoto Department store”, “3D”, “Full of Adventures” and others.
Awards : Japan Advertising Artists Club Prize / Mainichi Film Award(1964) / Bunshun Cartoon Prize(1969) / Kodansha Publication Culture Prize(1974) / Kodansha Publication Culture Prize(1981) / Kadokawa Japan Non-fiction Prize(1982) / Houchi Film Emerging Director Prize(1984) / Blue Ribbon Prize(1992) / Kodansha Essay Prize(1993) / Kikuchi Kan Prize(1994) / Mainichi Exhibition Prize(1997) / Japan Children book Prize(1998) / Japan Advertising Award Yamana Prize(2000) / Hall of Fame Prize at the Tokyo Book Jacket Illustration Competition(2013) / Lifetime Achievement Award(2015).
1."Rick's Cafe Americain" Humphrey Bogart
2."Potato Head Blues" Louis Armstrong
3."Boulevard of Crime" Jean-Louis Barrault
4. "A Very Private Affair" Brigitte Bardot
5. "Barbarella" Jane Fonda
6."River of No Return" Marilyn Monroe
Makoto Wada "Six Stars on the Screen"
Now a series of woodcut prints, “Six Stars on the Screen” includes portraits of Humphrey Bogart from “Casablanca” and Brigitte Bardot from “Vie Privee,” brilliantly capturing each actor and the character they played in the characteristic style of Wada, who was very knowledgeable about cinema. Whoever he portrays, Wada's works always reveal his kind and affectionate personality, warming the hearts of his admirers.
The unique handcrafted Japanese paper used to produce traditional woodcut prints brings soothing colors and soft textures that perfectly complement the unique world view of Makoto Wada.
- Limited Edition:
- 200
- Image Size:
- 30.2×23.5cm each
- Frame Size:
- 55.5×40.0 cm Original Frame
- Specification of frame:
- Approx.1.8 kg; wood, acrylic resin
- Type of print:
- Woodcut print
- Paper used:
- Echizen kizuki hosho washi
(produced by living national treasure Ichibei Iwano) - Publication Year:
- 1979
- Production:
- The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints
- Note:
- We will ship the order within 7 business days under normal circumstances.
A set of 6 designs of Makoto Wada "Six Stars on the Screen"
- [Contents]
- 1."Rick's Cafe Americain" Humphrey Bogart
- 2."Potato Head Blues" Louis Armstrong
- 3."Boulevard of Crime" Jean-Louis Barrault
- 4."A Very Private Affair" Brigitte Bardot
- 5."Barbarella" Jane Fonda
- 6."River of No Return" Marilyn Monroe
Original Box: 40.5×29.0×1.8 cm (external size)
with one free frame
Price: 180,000 yen （excluding tax）
