Kenji Takenaka

Kenji Takenaka
竹中 健司
Born1970 (age 55–56)
OccupationsWoodblock print artist, printer
Known forFifth-generation printer at Takenaka Woodblock Printing; Director of Takezasado Co., Ltd.
Websitekenjitakenaka.kyoto

Kenji Takenaka (born 1970) is a Japanese woodblock print artist and the fifth-generation printer of the Takenaka family studio, a woodblock workshop based in Kyoto and founded in 1891. He currently serves as the representative director of Takezasado Co., Ltd., a company involved in both traditional Japanese woodblock printing and modern design collaborations.[1]

Early Life and Training

Takenaka began learning traditional woodblock printing techniques, particularly the art of printing (suri), during his teenage years under his father, Seihachi Takenaka, the fourth-generation printer of the family workshop.[2] In 2002, Seihachi received the Medal with Yellow Ribbon and was recognized as a Contemporary Master Craftsman by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.[3] Kenji later succeeded him as the fifth-generation printer and has explored ways to apply traditional techniques in contemporary contexts.

Employment Model and Studio Expansion

In 1999, Takenaka founded Takezasado Co., Ltd. (originally established as a limited company). He introduced a new employment model in the field of traditional crafts by hiring designers, carvers, and printers—three roles that had traditionally been carried out independently under a division of labor. The designers in this model were responsible for creating the original drawings for prints, in a role comparable to that of ukiyo-e artists in historical Japanese woodblock print production. He mentored Yuko Harada, one of the few female artisans in the field at the time, who later succeeded as the sixth-generation printer.[4] Takenaka also recruited Kazuki Nojima, a student he taught at Kyoto City University of Arts, who now works as a carver.[5][6] Takezasado is among the few woodblock studios in Japan where designers, printers, and carvers work together under one roof.

Preservation and Revival Projects

Faith-Based Printing Heritage

Takenaka has focused on the restoration and reproduction of old woodblocks used for ofuda (talismans) and religious images stored in shrines and temples throughout Japan. He began engaging with such materials before 2015 and has since launched a dedicated consultation platform for religious institutions seeking restoration support.[7][8][9]

Revival of Exported Ukiyo-e Blocks

In 2009, Takenaka came across ukiyo-e woodblocks held by the National Library of France and hypothesized that they were original Edo-period blocks. Motivated by this discovery, he carried out a reproduction project in France in 2015, with support from Ritsumeikan University and the cities of Paris and Kyoto. The project was featured in a Kansai Television documentary.[10][11]

Research and Teaching

Takenaka has held academic and research positions including:

  • Special Collaborative Researcher, Kyoto Seika University (2019–present)[12]
  • Project Technical Advisor, Musashino Art University (2014–2018)[13]
  • Visiting Researcher, Ritsumeikan University (2015)[14]
  • Lecturer, Kyoto City University of Arts (2012–2015)[15]

As part of a project on early modern printing led by Musashino Art University, he contributed to the facsimile production of the Sagahon Utaihon series.[16][17]

Collaborations with Pop Culture

Takenaka has collaborated with pop culture franchises through the medium of traditional woodblock printing. These projects include works based on Monkey Punch’s Lupin III, Leiji Matsumoto’s Galaxy Express 999, Space Battleship Yamato, and Captain Harlock, as well as characters from the online game Rainbow Six Siege.[18][19][20][21]

Public Collections and Recognition

In 2025, the traditional fukibokashi (blown gradation) technique was applied to contemporary branding in the red coloration of the MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN logo, with Takenaka contributing as the woodblock print artist.[22]

In 2019, he collaborated again with art director Yoshiki Uchida on a design project that received a Silver Pentaward for packaging design.[23]

In 2013, Takenaka and Uchida produced the woodblock-printed poster Create., which received Bronze awards at both the D&AD Awards and The One Show.[24]

Takenaka's works are also held in public museum collections, including:

Exhibitions

  • Enduring Impressions: Contemporary Woodblock Prints, Honolulu Museum of Art (2025–2026)[27][28]
  • Water-based Woodblock Prints Exhibition, ABS Gallery (2015)[29]
  • Bi‑dan, Dohjidai Gallery (2012)[30]
  • SORA – 1/3 of a Gaze, Dohjidai Gallery (2011)[31]
  • Takenaka Masterpiece Theatre, Takezasado Gallery (2010)[32]
  • Taikyoku – First Game, Takezasado Gallery (2010)[33]

Publications

  • Co-authored: Woodblock Printing: Traditional Techniques and Designs – History of Publishing Culture through Collaboration between Painters, Carvers, and Printers (Japanese: 『木版画 伝統技法とその意匠 絵師・彫師・摺師 三者協業による出版文化の歴史』), Seibundo Shinkosha (2021).[34]
  • Supervised: A Year in Kyoto Living with Paper (Japanese: 『竹中木版 竹笹堂 紙と暮らす京の一年』), written by Kyoko Naito, Takarajimasha (2014).[35]
  • Authored: Kyoto's Takezasado's First Woodblock Printing: A Book for Making Cute Miscellaneous Goods (Japanese: 『京都・竹笹堂 はじめての木版画 かわいい雑貨をつくる本』), Mitsumura Suiko Shoin (2011).[36]
  • Serial column contributor: Cha no Ma Monthly (2009–2010).[37]
  • Article: "Kappazuri Techniques in Woodblock Printing", in Ukiyo-e Art No. 152 (2006), International Ukiyo-e Society.[38]

Workshops and Lectures

Takenaka has conducted workshops, lectures, and mentorship programs in Japan and internationally, focusing on the preservation and transmission of traditional Japanese woodblock printing techniques. Major activities include:

  • Mentorship of Belgian pop artist Vexx in Kyoto as part of the Lenovo Creator Odyssey international program (2025)[39][40]
  • Swedish Museum of World Culture workshop (2023)[41]
  • Honolulu Museum of Art workshop (2019)
  • Kyoto Prefectural cultural symposium (2018)[42]

References

  1. ↑ Lawrence, Jesse. "Takezasado and Traditional Japanese Woodblock Printing." The Kindcraft, May 21, 2019.
  2. ↑ "竹中清八 竹中木版四代目摺師・現当主". 竹笹堂公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  3. ↑ Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. "List of 2002 Contemporary Master Craftsmen (卓越した技能者)". November 21, 2002.
  4. ↑ "Yuko Harada: Preserving Tradition Through Woodblock Printing". amirisu. 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  5. ↑ "京版画彫師 野嶋一生". 明日への扉（アットホーム） (in Japanese). 2023-11-06. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  6. ↑ "Heirs to Kyoto Talent / Kyoto Woodblock Artisan Sharpens Skills with His Repeated Work". The Japan News. 2024-05-11. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  7. ↑ "祇園仮装行列の版画復元 再興へ 活用模索" [Restoration of Woodblock Prints Depicting the Gion Parade: Exploring Uses for Revival]. 京都新聞 (in Japanese). 2015-05-05. p. 22.
  8. ↑ "陰影復活 彫りと対話" [Reviving Shadows: A Carver in Dialogue with the Block]. 日本経済新聞（夜刊） (in Japanese). 2017-03-06.
  9. ↑ "Takenaka Mokuhan". Takenaka Mokuhan Official Website (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  10. ↑ Kansai TV (2020-12-14). ザ・ドキュメント「パリに渡った摺師」 [The Document: "The Printer Who Went to Paris"] (YouTube video) (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  11. ↑ Kenji Takenaka (2017-07-25). "蘇れ 世界の浮世絵版木" [Reviving the World's Ukiyo-e Woodblocks]. Nihon Keizai Shimbun (in Japanese).
  12. ↑ "Kyoto Seika University Traditional Industry Research Unit Annual Report 2022" (PDF) (in Japanese). Kyoto Seika University. 2022. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  13. ↑ "日本近世における文字印刷文化の総合的研究". Musashino Art University (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  14. ↑ "Integrated Research on Typography in Early Modern Japan" (PDF) (in Japanese). Ritsumeikan University. 2016. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  15. ↑ "京都市立芸術大学通信 第15号" (PDF) (in Japanese). 京都市立芸術大学. 2013-03-01. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  16. ↑ "教える伝える 世界を驚かす「ぼかし技法」" [Teaching and Sharing the Blending Technique that Amazes the World]. 京都新聞 (in Japanese). 2016-05-15. p. ジュニア面14面.
  17. ↑ "日本近世における文字印刷文化の総合的研究". Research Center for Advanced Design, Musashino Art University (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  18. ↑ "ルパン三世 浮世絵木版画". TMSSHOP. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  19. ↑ "浮世絵×松本零士「銀河鉄道999」「宇宙戦艦ヤマト」登場". PR TIMES. 2017-02-15. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  20. ↑ "Ubisoft teams up with traditional Kyoto craftsmen to bring Rainbow Six Siege to life in Ukiyo-e style". Ubisoft Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  21. ↑ "浮世絵にゲームキャラ 京都の職人が木版画で再現". 京都新聞 (in Japanese). 2019-10-06. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  22. ↑ "MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN". Music Awards Japan Official Website (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  23. ↑ "How Kyoto's artisans are keeping traditional crafts alive". CNA Luxury. Channel News Asia. 2022-10-27. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  24. ↑ "Create". D&AD Awards. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  25. ↑ Museum of Fine Arts, Boston – Kenji Takenaka woodblock print
  26. ↑ Honolulu Museum of Art – Takenaka woodblock print listing
  27. ↑ "Enduring Impressions: Contemporary Woodblock Prints". Honolulu Museum of Art. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  28. ↑ "Kenji Takenaka to participate in the International Woodblock Print Organization's group exhibition". Kenji Takenaka WoodBlock‑Print Arts. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  29. ↑ "木版画展 水性木版画作品展". 竹笹堂公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  30. ↑ "竹中健司作品展 「びーだん」". Dohjidai Gallery blog (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  31. ↑ "「SORA」-視線の1/3-". Dohjidai Gallery blog (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  32. ↑ "竹中健司木版画作品展「竹中名作劇場」". Takezasado Official Website (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  33. ↑ "木版画と飴細工展「対極～第一局～」". Takezasado Official Website (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  34. ↑ "木版画 伝統技法とその意匠". Seibundo Shinkosha (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  35. ↑ "竹中木版 竹笹堂 紙と暮らす京の一年". Takarajimasha (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  36. ↑ "京都・竹笹堂 はじめての木版画 かわいい雑貨をつくる本". Mitsumura Suiko Shoin (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  37. ↑ "最新号のご案内 – 茶の間". Cha no Ma (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  38. ↑ "合羽摺の摺り表現について". 浮世絵芸術 (in Japanese) (152). 国際浮世絵学会. 2006. Kappazuri is a traditional Japanese stencil printing technique that uses hand-cut paper stencils and brush-applied pigments instead of carved woodblocks. The method yields soft, rustic effects and was commonly used in popular prints such as Ōtsu-e and sugoroku.
  39. ↑ "Vexx's Creator Odyssey: Leveling Up with Lenovo and Intel". Lenovo Education Community. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  40. ↑ Vexx learns traditional Japanese woodblock printing in Kyoto. YouTube. 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  41. ↑ Japan – Shaping Everyday Life: A Creative Learning Programme (PDF) (Report). Swedish National Museums of World Culture. 2023. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  42. ↑ 明治150年記念シンポジウム 京都府文化・産業未来への挑戦 (PDF) (Report) (in Japanese). 京都府立京都学・歴彩館. 2018-03-24. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.