Utamaro


page from the 'Uta-Makura' album

Colour woodcut, 1788


I don't lust after many things in life, no fast cars, no fancy clothes ... But when I got an exhibition catalogue in the mail the other day announcing an auction featuring this print, my heart gave a jump ...

What an idiot! The reserve was 9,000,000! It is an endless source of sadness to me that such a beautiful object as this must forever be 'locked away'. Its monetary value has become so inflated and ridiculous that it is no longer a 'print', to be held in the hand and enjoyed. It has become nothing more than a token representing a large amount of money.

So what's the answer for an enthusiast who wants to enjoy beautiful prints? There is only one ... learn to make them himself! It's going to take a while, but who knows ...