'Discover Japan'
(2006) ... a corner in a long two-hour program about foreigners working in traditional Japanese crafts. Some of the people were featured at great length, but I got just a few minutes. It was shot in my downstairs workshop on a grey cloudy day, and the lighting man wasn't prepared at all ... it's quite gloomy. But it does give a view of the printing process for my large scroll print ... (2 1/2 minutes ... 4.2Mb)
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 ...
Carving a Career From an Ancient Japanese Craft
David Bull, a 41-year-old Canadian university
dropout born in England who used to program computers and play the
flute on the street, anticipates one day finding himself revered as a
master practicioner of an ancient Japanese craft. But it took him 35
years to hit upon that uncommon ambition. (1993)
Full Story.
The Blue-eyed Ukiyo-e Craftsman
Midnight is the best time.
The noise and confusion of the day's activities has died down, my two
young daughters are lost in their dreams, the roar of the traffic
passing on the road outside has dwindled away to an occasional
murmur, and my hand is now steady and ready for the challenge. The
easy parts are done, the kimono designs, the lettering, the outlines.
Tonight I will carve the face - slicing away the rock-hard cherry
wood sliver by sliver, and watching as the delicate features of a
10th century court lady gradually take shape in the wood. (1992)
Full Story.
David Bull: Printmaker
The classic woodblock prints made famous by Hokusai and others depict a stylized, long-lost Japan. A chance encounter with woodblock printing at an exhibition in Toronto more than twenty years ago led David Bull down a path that has made him the only artist, Japanese or foreign, working to reproduce those classical prints. (2000)
Full Story.