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Woodblock Shimbun - Introduction

The media here in Japan have been very good to me over the years. Especially during the time that I was working on the Hyakunin Isshu project, newspapers, magazines, radio and television almost never failed to respond to my requests to help me publicize my exhibitions.

I'm certainly not 'famous' here, and can walk down the street without attracting attention, but during the few days immediately following a television appearance, do find that I get recognized in the train sometimes. Generally though, people are considerate of one's privacy, and unlike the really famous foreigners here (sumo wrestlers, etc.) I live generally undisturbed.

Reading/viewing some of this material is an excellent way to get familiar with my work, so I have scanned/ripped/typed many of the items, and included them here in my 'Woodblock Shimbun'. You will find a 'Table of Contents' over on the Index Page. Please take a look at some of the material; I think you might enjoy it!

Thank you!

TV Listings

The 'Woodblock Shimbun' has a full selection of TV programs on file. Videos available include some of David's news appearances, complete feature programs, and some short documentaries on his work. The files are in QuickTime format, and can be easily viewed with your browser.
Program listings are on the Index page ...

Japan and Me

"In 1775 an Edo bookshop published a series of portraits of the Hyakunin Isshu poets with illustrations by Katsukawa Shunsho, who was the leading designer of his day, just before Utamaro. We do not know if the book sold well or not, but few copies have survived and the book is extremely rare." (1989)
Full Story.

Shokunin vs Craftsman

During the seven years that I have been living here in Japan and studying woodblock printmaking, I have visited many shokunin and have enjoyed long discusions with them about their life and work. I have been surprised by many of the things they have said, and have come to realize that their thinking is sometimes quite different from my Western conceptions of a craftsman. (1993)
Full Story.

Traditional Craft, Crisis or ... ?

As a worker in the field of traditional Japanese crafts, one of the most common things I hear from visitors to my workshop is, "Isn't it a pity that wonderful crafts like this are dying out nowadays." We sometimes tend to view traditional crafts as being superior to modern ways of doing things, but I have to wonder about this. I am sure that the craftsmen of old did not view their work in special terms. I think that they were simply people 'doing a job'. (1994)
Full Story.