[[SECTION: Overview]]

The new color version currently on sale is here!

Our collaboration work with the globally popular “Attack on Titan” will be released worldwide simultaneously from 12:00 PM (noon) Japan time on Saturday, February 25.

“The essence of Japan, to you.”

We created a “Modern Ukiyo-e” through a collaboration between “Attack on Titan,” a work that represents Japan, and artisans of “Ukiyo-e woodblock prints,” a traditional technique that represents Japan.

The production of this ukiyo-e is handled by Bansan Co., Ltd., which continues to take on new challenges while preserving tradition in order to pass down the traditional craft techniques of carving and printing that form the foundation of ukiyo-e production.

[[SECTION: 【Product Details】]]

[[SECTION: ■A Japanese-style painter creates a brand-new illustration inspired by Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s masterpiece “Sōma no Furu Dairi”]]

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, an ukiyo-e artist who led the late Edo period and is known as a “visionary artist,” remains enormously popular even today. His representative work “Sōma no Furu Dairi” (1845–46) depicts Ōya Tarō Mitsukuni, a retainer of Minamoto no Yorinobu, defeating the Gashadokuro. With its distinctive composition and powerful impact, it is one of the most celebrated masterworks in the world of Japanese ukiyo-e even now. As a motif to convey the brilliance of ukiyo-e from Japan to the world, we focused on the similarities between “Sōma no Furu Dairi” and “Attack on Titan” and developed this project.

[[SECTION: ■Ukiyo-e Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi]]

An ukiyo-e artist active from the late Edo period through the Bakumatsu era. Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) rose to fame after a long apprenticeship, becoming known as the “visionary artist” and “Kuniyoshi of warrior prints.” Even today, he is frequently used as a motif by many artists and Japanese tattoo artists, and remains highly popular both in Japan and abroad.

[[SECTION: ■Fusion of modern characters and Japanese painting]]

In this work, Japanese-style painter Ken Shiozaki created an original illustration that brilliantly matches Kuniyoshi’s famous painting with the world of “Attack on Titan,” realizing a collaboration between two works that represent Japan across nearly 200 years. The four figures—Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and Levi—facing the Colossal Titan have been reborn with a texture that shines in ukiyo-e while retaining each character’s individuality.

The four figures—Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and Levi—facing the Colossal Titan have been reborn with a texture that shines in ukiyo-e while retaining each character’s individuality.

[[SECTION: ■“Ukiyo-e Woodblock Prints,” a crystallization of technique]]

Ukiyo-e woodblock prints begin by separating the design into woodblocks by color and carving each one individually. As you can see, it is a continuous series of astonishingly meticulous tasks—an error of even a single millimeter can greatly affect the entire image, and carving with perfect alignment is truly the result of artisans’ years of training.

Not only the eyes, hair, and figures, but also the title and even background areas that do not appear as color are all carved by hand. Precisely because such delicate woodblocks are used, they can chip or break during the thousands of printing passes, which is why ukiyo-e can only be produced in limited editions.

After finishing all the carving for seven double-sided blocks—14 faces in total—printing begins, using traditional pigments for each color. This, too, is a world that demands true craftsmanship: even a one-millimeter shift or pressure that is too weak can cause misalignment across the entire image.

The process is repeated 34 times, carefully layering each color onto washi made by a Living National Treasure. Only when the “artist,” “carver,” and “printer” each perfectly fulfill their roles is a single “Attack on Titan” ukiyo-e woodblock print finally brought into being.

[[SECTION: ■A size that brings out the full charm of the artwork]]

For this precious first edition—limited to 300 copies worldwide—we made the image area about twice the size of conventional ukiyo-e (compared to our previous works), giving it overwhelming power and presence within the frame.

A masterpiece created with utmost dedication: newly drawn down to the smallest details by Japanese-style painter Ken Shiozaki, and brought to life through the techniques of Kyoto artisans—carver Shoichi Kitamura and printer Makoto Nakayama. A “certificate” and an “explanatory booklet” indicating that it was produced using traditional methods will also be enclosed. We sincerely hope you enjoy it.

Artist / Ken Shiozaki

Born in Machida City, Tokyo in 1972

Completed the graduate program at Tama Art University, Graduate School of Art and Design

A Japanese-style painter who re-evaluates the diversity of themes and the high level of craft techniques found in Japanese paintings primarily from the Heian through Edo periods, reconstructing the styles and essences of those eras to create two-dimensional works that appeal to the aesthetic sensibilities and sense of beauty held by modern Japanese people—thereby presenting the presence and potential of “Japanese painting” within the art world.

Collections

Rinzai Sect Myoshinji-ha Ryugenji (Tokyo) / Religious Corporation Senshinzan Shorenji (Hiroshima)

Shingon Sect Inariyama Komyoin (Kanagawa) / Jodo Sect Fumonji (Yamaguchi)

Ken Shiozaki SNS: Instagram

Carver / Shoichi Kitamura

Born in Kyoto in 1968.
Graduated from Kyoto Seika University, Faculty of Art, Department of Plastic Arts, Printmaking Major, Woodblock Print Course.
Studied woodblock prints under Mr. Tomikichiro Tokuriki at the publisher “Matsu-kyu.”
Studied woodblock carving under Mr. Akira Kurosaki.
Apprenticed under carver Mr. Osamu Hotta at the publisher “Kaneido,” learning carving.

Member, Kyoto Woodblock Print Crafts Cooperative / Vice Branch Head, Kyoto Branch, Ukiyo-e Woodblock Carving & Printing Techniques Preservation Association

Printer / Makoto Nakayama

Born in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu in 1958.
Graduated from Kyoto Seika University, Faculty of Art, Department of Plastic Arts, Western Painting Major.
Apprenticed at Sato Woodblock Print Studio; trained under printer Keizo Sato to learn printing.

Vice Director, Ukiyo-e Woodblock Carving & Printing Techniques Preservation Association / Current Kyoto Branch Head / Director, Kyoto Woodblock Crafts Cooperative

Echizen Washi Papermaker / Living National Treasure, 9th-generation Ichibei Iwano

Born in Imadate Town, Fukui Prefecture (now Echizen City).

Under the strict guidance of his father, the 8th Ichibei Iwano (holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property “Echizen Hosho”), and his uncle Masao Iwano, he learned the traditional production techniques of Echizen Hosho.

The only craftsman dedicated to deeply researching traditional techniques and producing refined, high-grade Echizen Hosho.

The highest-quality washi is also supplied to the Louvre Museum as the world’s finest restoration paper.

[[SECTION: 【Product information】]]

Attack on Titan Ukiyo-e Woodblock Print
“The Titan Attack”

Price: 60,000 JPY + TAX & shipping
Edition: Limited to 300 copies worldwide (First Edition)
Specifications: Artwork (W: approx. 510 mm × H: approx. 245 mm)
　　　　　　Frame (W: approx. 653 mm × H: approx. 383 mm) Includes a dedicated frame
Frame: Wood; backboard: plywood　　
Mat: Paper
Washi: Living National Treasure Ichibei Iwano — Echizen Kisuki Hosho
Artist: Ken Shiozaki
Carver: Shoichi Kitamura
Printer: Makoto Nakayama

Produced by: Bansan Co., Ltd.

*Shipping costs vary depending on the customer’s region of residence.

*Customs duties and other procedures/fees outside Japan are not included. Customers are responsible for paying these costs.

*This product is scheduled to ship from April 2023 onward.

*Purchases are limited to a maximum of 3 prints per person. If we identify orders of more than three prints or multiple orders believed to be from the same individual, we may cancel the purchase. Thank you for your understanding.

*Because each piece is handmade by artisans, the expected delivery schedule may change depending on production status. Thank you for your understanding in advance.

*As this is a fully made-to-order product, we cannot accept cancellations, changes, or additions due to customer convenience. Before ordering, please carefully confirm the product name, details, price, quantity, payment method, and other information.

*If you wish to cancel, please contact us within one week of purchase.

©︎Hajime Isayama, Kodansha / “Attack on Titan” The Final Season Production Committee