"Hirohiko Araki x Yebisu Beer" Beautiful Woman Ukiyo-e Woodblock Print

"Yebisu Beer x Hirohiko Araki" Beautiful Woman Ukiyo-e Woodblock Print

"Yebisu Beer x Hirohiko Araki" Ukiyo-e woodblock prints of beautiful women
Thursday, February 13, 2025, 12:00pm Japan time
Orders are now being accepted for a limited edition of 135 pieces.

©LUCKY LAND COMMUNICATIONS/Shueisha

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"Yebisu Beer x Hirohiko Araki" - Beautiful women depicted in ukiyo-e woodblock prints

Hirohiko Araki has updated the Yebisu Beer beauty posters that have been around since the Meiji era to a modern style.
It expresses Yebisu's 135-year tradition and the brand's worldview, which continues to evolve even today.

[Attention to detail in the production of Ukiyo-e woodblock prints]

The ultimate Echizen Kizuki Hosho paper by Living National Treasure Ichibei Iwano

"Ichibei Iwano IX"

In 1978, he took on the name of Iwano Ichibei IX.
In June 2000, he was recognized as a holder of the important intangible cultural property of Japan, "Echizen Hosho" (Living National Treasure).
We continue to make "Echizen Kizuki Hosho", a paper that has been passed down for generations in the Echizen climate.
"Kizukihosho" is made from kozo paper and is a type of washi paper that is backed by Japanese tradition and history.
This time we used the ultimate Japanese paper, which has a smooth brush stroke, is used for ceremonial paper in Shinto rituals, and is also used for prints, and can withstand the pressure of being printed with woodblock prints hundreds of times.We chose this paper with the hope that it will retain the texture of traditional Japanese paper from the Edo period and continue to remain for 100 or 200 years to come.

The ultimate in hand-carved and hand-railed aesthetics.

[Carving]

Ukiyo-e woodblock prints begin with separating the woodblocks by color based on the design and then carving them out one by one.
As you can see, it is a series of incredibly precise tasks, and even a deviation of just one millimeter can have a major impact on the entire painting. The way it is carved out perfectly without any deviations is truly the result of years of training by the craftsman.
Everything is carved by hand, including the outline, hair, and figure, as well as the background parts that do not appear in the title or colors.
Because the woodblocks are so delicate, they are prone to chipping and becoming damaged during the thousands of prints, which is why all ukiyo-e prints are produced in limited quantities.

[Tattoo artist: Kayoko Suga]

After graduating from high school, she applied to become an apprentice for the Arakawa Ward Artisan Development Support Program in Tokyo, and after seven years of training as an Edo woodblock print carver, she became independent. Currently, as one of the few female traditional craftspeople certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, she is contributing to the cultural preservation of Ukiyo-e woodblock prints with her outstanding skills.

Demonstration at the "Great Edo 808 Towns Exhibition" at the Edo-Tokyo Museum in 2003

Demonstration at the "100 Famous Views of Edo Completion Commemorative Exhibition" at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi in 2005

Demonstration at the "Hokusai Manga Exhibition" at the Edo-Tokyo Museum in 2008

Member of the Ukiyo-e Woodblock Printing Engraving Technique Preservation Association Member of the Tokyo Traditional Woodblock Printing Crafts Cooperative

[Printing]

Next, the printing process begins, using traditional paints for each color.
This is also a world that requires craftsmanship, as even a 1mm misalignment or too little pressure can cause the entire screen to become misaligned.

Furthermore, since the final color could not be determined until the print was applied, the paint was changed dozens of times in pursuit of the ultimate color.

[Printer: Tatsuya Ito]

Born in Nezu, Tokyo in 1965.
In 1985, he succeeded his father, the fourth generation head of the Ikuma lineage, Tomohiro Ito, and trained under his master, Fumihiko Ogawa.
1994: Exhibited and demonstrated at the 1st Ukiyo-e Woodblock Print Exhibition.
In 1995, he received the Tokyo Governor's Award for Outstanding Skills.
1998: 15 volumes of "Hokusai Manga" printed (joint printing). Demonstration in Europe (Austria, Hungary, France).
2001: Printing of Takeuchi Seiho's "Seiho Study Painting Album." Demonstration at the "Sakura Regeneration Project Exhibition" at Gakushuin University.
2002: Print of Maruyama Okyo's "Red-crowned Crane."
Demonstrated at the "Great Edo 808 Towns Exhibition" at the Edo-Tokyo Museum in 2003.
2005 Demonstration at the "Hiroshige Exhibition" at the Japan-France Cultural Center (Paris)
2006 Printing of "Jakuchu Paintings" by Ito Jakuchu
Demonstrated at the Hokusai Manga Exhibition at Koriyama City Museum of Art in 2010.
A craftsman certified by the Agency for Cultural Affairs as an intangible cultural property selected for preservation techniques.

◾️Product Information

"Yebisu Beer x Hirohiko Araki" Beautiful Woman Ukiyo-e Woodblock Print

Number of copies sold: Limited to 135 copies worldwide, with frame and Ukiyo-e woodblock print certificate

Specifications: Picture (W: approx. 243mm x H: approx. 363mm)
Frame (W: approx. 432mm x H: approx. 547mm x D: 40mm)
Frame: Wood, back plate and wooden plywood Mat: Paper Washi paper: Living National Treasure Iwano Ichibei Echizen Kizuki Hosho Engraver: Suga Kayoko Printer: Ito Tatsuya Ukiyo-e Publisher: Hansan Co., Ltd.

©LUCKY LAND COMMUNICATIONS/Shueisha

Purchase here

©LUCKY LAND COMMUNICATIONS/Shueisha

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