Ukiyo-e Art Hatsune Miku 歌姫東海道 初音未来

Dreams come true what virtual singer "Hatsune Miku" and Ukiyo-e artisans who inherit Japanese traditional technique for over four hundreds years from Era period, are now collaborating.They created "REAL" Ukiyo-e. This Ukiyo-e is created by the best paper, it called "Washi" which is made by Living National Treasure. And also carving, printing and all progress to creating are perfect, because they increase to the limit. They did all of them handmade manually and politely. Ukiyo-e is Japanese precious cultural heritage and also evaluated from all over the World. So it's gonna be revived by the best technique and quality.



-Original pictures

Compositional arrange is pretty cool. Miku is Japanese Kimono style with Mt. Fuji and Nihon-bashi, Edo for the background. Miku is illustrated by Hobby Stock inc. and then the finishing strokes with background by Artist Touki from Kyoto.



-Carving A flow of Miku's hair for less than 1mm are drawn by Ukiyo-e artist Mr. Watanabe. Woodblocks for outline are proof against all delicate work. So it is a single plate from cherry blossom which is very precious and unwavering. There is no waste for woodblocks. It expresses the colors as same as original ones. So it depends on a long experience for the sculptor. Woodblocks are 10 plates for each colors and also two sides of plates, 20 plates, plus one more woodblock for outline. The total is 21 plates for woodblocks.



-Printing

Printers are finishing them up to use the color of original drawings fidelity. They prints so many times, because they reproduces the small points and the background of gradations. They made the color while looking at original ones, and in order to lighter to darker. For the face, there are separate plates, which is outline and cheeks, line of nose, and rouge. If these are off to the side, or plenty of pigments, it is gonna be different one for compering original ones. It means pretty difficult points. These are printed by Mr. Nakayama from Sato woodblock lab. in Kyoto. He printed for total 45 prints from 21 woodblocks.



-Washi (Japanese traditional papers)

Washi is proof against 45 times overglaze. This Washi is Echizen Kizuki Hosho paper which is unstretchable and no gaps. "Iwano Ichibei Kizuki Hosho paper" This Washi is made by the ninth generations Ichibei Iwano, which is Nationally-designated Important intangible cultural property from 2000. This is not included wood pulp, it is just 100% camellia japonica. It means the best quality and technique, "歌姫東海道 初音未来" is now here.

About 100 more limited third prints



These are 100 more limited third prints for Japan and overseas.



-First prints: total 100 limited for Japan and overseas

-Second prints: total 100 limited for Japan and overseas

-Third prints: total 100 limited for Japan and overseas



Wood block prints are not much difference until 400 prints. So it means it's totally same as the first prints.It says "第三版” at the blank for 100 limited the third prints.