Japanese Woodblock Print Search

(ukiyo-e.org)

146 points | by curmudgeon22 11 hours ago ago

24 comments

  • jeresig 11 hours ago ago

    Thank you for sharing my site! I built this a number of years ago as I was starting to learn about Japanese prints. I wanted a single place where I could find them across all of the various museums and universities that hold them. I use computer vision analysis to cluster prints together (using TinEye). A bunch more technical details from the last time this was posted: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18344979

    I’m working on a new site now that’s focused on prints that are for sale from dealers and auctions. Much more technically complex as it needs to be continuously updated. Hope to have a public beta soon!

  • PacificSpecific 10 hours ago ago

    Wow 2 ukiyo-e threads in 24 hours. This is really cool.

    I posted that there was a museum in kurashiki in the other thread but neglected to post a link. For anyone interested here it is https://ukiyo-e-kurashiki.jp/?lang=en

    • dang 10 hours ago ago

      I was going to ask what the other thread was but you made it easy!

      The Rediscovery of 103 Hokusai Lost Sketches (2021) - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47030387 - Feb 2026 (8 comments)

      • PacificSpecific 9 hours ago ago

        Ah I should have posted the link. Glad you were able to find it and thanks for digging it up!

  • miduil 5 hours ago ago

    Wow, that's wonderful. There is a store that sells original Woodblock prints in Vienna, close to the Opera. Every time I'm passing by I take a few moments to look and reflect on those prints, it's great recognizing some on this website now.

    • kehvyn 2 hours ago ago

      I know exactly which store you're talking about, and I couldn't resist going in the one time I was in Vienna. It's a great store.

  • S0und 5 hours ago ago

    If you're interested in the topic someone is streaming the whole process: https://www.twitch.tv/japaneseprintmaking

    • zimpenfish 4 hours ago ago

      Would highly recommend Dave Bull's YouTube channel as well - https://youtube.com/@seseragistudio

    • nvalis 4 hours ago ago

      I took a class at his workshop in Tokyo and highly recommend the experience. So much thought and detail goes into preparing the wood blocks and even into "just" printing them.

  • abetusk 11 hours ago ago

    This is pretty amazing.

    Surprisingly [0]:

    > Ukiyo-e.org was created by John Resig ...

    [0] https://ukiyo-e.org/about

  • dang 10 hours ago ago

    One past thread:

    Japanese Woodblock Print Search - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18344979 - Oct 2018 (29 comments)

    (Reposts are fine after a year or so; links to past threads are just to satisfy extra-curious readers)

  • Duanemclemore 6 hours ago ago

    Bookmarked for constant reference. As a designer, Japanese printmaking is a constant source of inspiration, and the effort that went into putting this together is pretty astounding. Thank you to the author for the hard work, and to the OP for surfacing it!

  • zactato 11 hours ago ago

    Pretty sure this was made by John Resig, the creator of jQuery.

    I used to be friends with him back in the day and he described wanting to do something like this. He was/is a passionate dude.

  • andeee23 7 hours ago ago

    kawase hasui is hands down the best to ever do it

    he does trees and foliage in s very special way

    • kehvyn 2 hours ago ago

      A fellow Shin Hanga-era fan! There are dozens of us!

      Hasui is excellent, but Shiro Kasamatsu is my undisputed favorite. Something about the way he does buildings, and the dramatic colors, is exactly aimed at me.

    • chickensong 4 hours ago ago

      No argument there.

      For fans of California and the Bay Area, Tom Killion is a local hero as well.

      • gyomu an hour ago ago

        Check out Chiura Obata. His Yosemite prints are stunning.

    • keiferski 6 hours ago ago

      Agreed, he is my favorite as well. There is something so cinematic about every one of his images.

  • thrownaway561 4 hours ago ago

    For those that don't know, this site was made by John Resig, yes, the same dude that invented jQuery.