Order acceptance starts from 12:00 Japan time on Saturday, March 16, 2024
"Cowboy Bip Bap Ukiyo -Eki Print"
Sales price: 60,000 yen + tax / shipping fee
Sales: 300 copies of the world only
With a forehead box & Ukiyo -e tree print certificate
Specifications: Picture (W: about 240mm x H: about 360mm)
Amount (W: Approximately 437mm x H: about 553mm x D: about 21mm)
Fold: Wood, backward plate / wooden plywood
Mat: Paper made
Washi: Human National Treasure Iwano Iwano Echizen Birthday
Carrier: Shoichi Kitamura
Suriji: Makoto Nakayama
Ukiyo -e version: Version Sanpo Co., Ltd.
* The above product image is a prototype image under supervision. Please note that the detailed specifications may change.
* The shipping cost will vary depending on the customer's residence area.
* Customs duties other than Japan or other procedures are not included. We look forward to your own cost.
* Products will be shipped after May 2024.
* It will be shipped in order of order, but will be shipped after June 2024 after No. 100.
* Purchase will be up to 3 pieces per person. If you have more than three or more orders or if there are multiple orders that seem to be the same person, we may cancel the purchase, so please understand.
* Please note that the delivery schedule may be changed depending on the production status, as the craftsman will be produced by hand.
* Cancellation and change of order for customer's convenience cannot be accepted because it is completely made -to -order production. When ordering, please check the product name, product content, amount, order quantity, payment method, etc. before ordering.
* Please inform us of cancellation request within one week after purchasing the product.
在庫切れ
再販情報は公式発表をご確認ください。
Section
[[SECTION: Overview]]
The masterpiece “Cowboy Bebop”
is now an Ukiyo-e woodblock print, releasing worldwide in limited quantities!
The Ukiyo-e woodblock print of the masterpiece “Cowboy Bebop” will be released worldwide
simultaneously from 12:00 PM Japan time on Saturday, March 16!
[[SECTION: ■Our thoughts on this landmark Japanese sci-fi anime, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023.]]
“Cowboy Bebop” is a sci-fi anime produced by SUNRISE in 1998. With its sharp, stylish dialogue, compelling characters, and outstanding musical sensibility, it’s a cool, snappy sci-fi hardboiled anime. Even more than 25 years after its broadcast, it continues to be highly acclaimed not only in Japan but around the world as a sci-fi anime masterpiece.
As we set out to present this landmark work—one Japan proudly shares with the world—as ukiyo-e, a traditional craft that Japan is likewise proud of, we asked ourselves how it should be expressed. After countless production meetings, and with a full year required from planning through production, we are pleased to offer you this truly exceptional piece.
[[SECTION: ■About producing this Ukiyo-e woodblock print]]
Ukiyo-e is a traditional craft that represents Japan. However, the entire industry is now in crisis, and the number of artisans across Japan who have inherited this traditional technique that has continued since the Edo period has dwindled to only a few dozen.
While efforts are also being made to train the next generation, it is a fact that daily production volume—including raw materials—continues to shrink, and the number of craftsmen is steadily decreasing.
Together with the active craftsmen (artists, carvers, and printers) who keep this ukiyo-e woodblock technique alive today, we aim to introduce the appeal of ukiyo-e from a new angle to people around the world by combining traditional techniques with “Cowboy Bebop.” And without letting this culture that Japan is proud of fade away, we will contribute to its continued growth and development.
We want to deliver it to you—the essence of Japanese traditional crafts.
[[SECTION: ■Highlights of this work]]
・Transforming the most iconic visual into ukiyo-e
In preserving “Cowboy Bebop” for future generations as an ukiyo-e woodblock print, we chose to take on the challenge of recreating this key visual—an outstanding design packed with the world and atmosphere of “Cowboy Bebop”—as a bold and ambitious undertaking.
Please enjoy the reborn key visual, brought to life through the fusion with traditional techniques that have continued since the Edo period.
・Our focus on the mat surrounding the artwork
On the mat portion of the piece, we incorporated the episode subtitles from the TV series. With “Cowboy Bebop,” the points of being “cool, stylish, and chic” are non-negotiable. The subtitles contain musical elements and match perfectly with the concept of “space jazz” rather than “space opera,” and we believe they are also one of the major elements that color and elevate this work.
[[SECTION: ■Artisan Introduction]]
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 Tomikichiro Tokuriki at the publisher “Matsukyū”
Studied woodblock carving under Akira Kurosaki
Apprenticed under master carver Osamu Hotta at the publisher “Kaneidō,” studying carving
Established the Kitamura Woodblock Print Studio; since then, has held workshops at the studio
Collaborated with Melbourne-based artist Brook Andrew in Australia
Participated as a carving instructor in the MI-LAB Artist-in-Residence program
Held workshops at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington
*In addition, has conducted numerous demonstrations and workshops at exhibitions and events across Japan and around the world
Positions
Member, Kyoto Woodblock Print Crafts Cooperative
Vice Branch Head, Kyoto Branch, Ukiyo-e Woodblock Carving and 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
Entered the Sato Woodblock Print Studio as an apprentice; studied printing under master printer Keizo Sato
Gave demonstrations of ukiyo-e printing at Kyoto Seika University
Exhibited in the 1st Ukiyo-e Woodblock Print Exhibition (Tokyo/Kyoto)
Exhibited in the 2nd Ukiyo-e Woodblock Print Exhibition (Tokyo/Kyoto)
Participated in the International Print Conference “Impact” (Finland),
assisting with Keizo Sato’s demonstration
Exhibited in the 3rd Ukiyo-e Woodblock Print Exhibition (Tokyo/Kyoto)
Participated in the 1st International Woodblock Print Conference, presenting a joint paper with carver Shoichi Kitamura
Received the Kyoto Prefecture Traditional Industry Excellent Skilled Person Award
*In addition, has conducted numerous demonstrations and workshops at exhibitions and events across Japan and around the world
Positions
Vice Director, Ukiyo-e Woodblock Carving and Printing Techniques Preservation Association; Current Kyoto Branch Head Director, Kyoto Woodblock Crafts Cooperative
[[SECTION: ■Artwork Information]]
*The image above is a prototype image currently under supervision. Please note that detailed specifications may change.
“Cowboy Bebop Ukiyo-e Woodblock Print”
Price: 60,000 JPY + TAX & shipping
Edition: Limited to 300 copies worldwide
Includes frame box & ukiyo-e woodblock print certificate
