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Woodblock News
Introduction | Index All the print news that fits!

Yomiuri News

(1999) There was a huge flood of publicity at the end of the long poet's series, involving everything from short items on news programs up to a one-hour documentary. Here is a short news spot typical of many from that time. (This one even includes a 'sneak' shot taken during my visit to that year's New Year Poetry Contest at the Imperial Palace). (1 1/2 minutes ... about 1.6Mb)

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 ...

Canadian artist wins top prize of 1,000,000 yen in Essay Contest

David Bull, a citizen of Canada and Britain, received 1,000,000 yen, the top award, for his winning essay in the fourth annual "Save the Earth" contest on Saturday at the Yomiuri Shimbun headquarters in Tokyo ... (1994)
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.

13 Another Lucky Number

David Bull is as insistent as he is stubborn. No sooner has he sat me down beside his workbench (the only warm room in the house), with younger daughter Fumi (16) creating a Web page on the computer on top of the "kotatsu," than he is demanding how much I know about "hanga" (woodblock prints). "Hanga were never made to be framed and hung on walls," he states. "Premodern Japan had no such tradition. Prints were objects, not images, to be looked at in natural light. The best way for the art of the craftsman to be appreciated is in your hands, at a window." (2002)
Full Story.