Tokuno’s Description of Block-Cutting and Printing

To view a listing of objects without the introductory text, click here.

Gif displaying a series of progressive proofs of a stylized group of leaves and berries from the shrub Nandina domestica.
 

Print, Nandina domestica

Gif of 35 progressive proofs, Nandina domestica. Designed by Tsubaki Chinzan, engraved by Kotaro Kido, and printed by Iwakichi Yamamoto.

Part of the documentation received with the collection included a report on Japanese wood-block cutting and printing prepared by Tokuno and Shotaro Tsukiyama, his associate in the Printing Bureau. Their notes offer a very clear description of the methods used for Japanese print production in the third quarter of the 19th century. They provided detailed information on cutting and printing the blocks, a practice that was beginning to be replaced by more modern methods. The accompanying seven watercolors probably were commissioned to illustrate how the tools and blocks were made and used by Japanese artisans; they were reproduced in the publication cited below, and they also served as a reference for Smithsonian staff who installed the exhibition that was on view for so many years.

Sylvester R. Koehler, the first Smithsonian Graphic Arts curator, edited a monograph on Japanese block-cutting and printing from the text supplied by Tokuno that was published as part of the Smithsonian’s Annual Report for 1892. This illustrated report describes the wood used for the blocks, the tools and the methods of the block-cutter and printer, as well as the pigments and papers used. Additional remarks addressed the tasks, costs, and production values associated with the design, engraving, and printing of the blocks. Koehler also added some comparative notes on the history of relief printing in the West.

Drawing of block cutter's tools
 

Drawing of Block Cutter's Tools

1. Ruler for cutting straight lines and for fixing the registering marks on the planks used in color printing. 2. Brush for removing from the plank the chips thrown out by the cutting tools. 3. Engraving knife for cutting out the design. Only one knife, always of the same pattern and size, is used by the Japanese wood-cutters; and with this one knife they perform all grades of work from the coarsest to the finest, the execution depending entirely on the skill of the engraver. 4-9. Chisels for removing smaller portions of wood between the lines of the design. They are used exactly like the engraving knife. 10 & 11. Chisels for correcting unsatisfactory parts (removing parts for “plugging”). 12. Saw for cutting small pieces of wood to be inserted in the plank where corrections have to be made. 13-16. Chisels for removing larger portions of wood. 17 & 18. Semicircular chisels for removing larger portions of wood. 19. Grinding stone for leveling the surface of the grinding stone seen in 20. 20. Grinding stone for taking off the somewhat roughened edges of the knives and chisels, 21. Stone used for sharpening knives and chisels. 22. Oil pot, in which oil of Sesamum orientale is kept, for rubbing the portions of the plank to be cut, so as to soften the wood and make the cutting easier and cleaner. 23. Oil brush for the oil. 24 & 25. Wooden mallets for driving the chisels seen in number 13 through 18.

Drawing of block printer's tools
 

Drawing of Block Printer's Tools

1. Box, for keeping all the tools and materials required for printing. 2. Boards, for pressing wet paper. 3. Small box, for keeping colors, color dishes, etc. 4. Printing table.5-7. Brushes, for charging the cut planks with the printing colors. 8. Brush, for wetting paper. 9. Oil of Sesamum orientale10. Baren, a little shield used to press. 11-13. Chisels and a Knife, used to correct marks if necessary. 14. Agitator, for mixing colors in the basin. 15. Pads of cotton cloth, to be placed under the four corners of the planks while printing to keep them from moving. 16. The five dry colors, in bottles. 17. Basin, for mixing colors.

Method of Using Baren

Method of Using Baren

The direction in the movement of the “ baren ” should be zigzag, but if a very small and isolated part of the design is to be printed, it is better to give a lighter rub with the edge of the instrument. Baren is a little hard shield, consisting of a stiff disk, made of layers of paper pasted together, and turned up at the edge so as to form a very shallow receptacle, and covered with cotton cloth on the outside.

Registering

Registering the print

As each color requires a separate cut, each plank must have certain registering marks so that all the sheets may be laid down in exactly the same position to insure the fitting of each color upon the others. No mechanical means are used, the Japanese printer relies simply upon experience.

 

Search term: *:* Topic: Tokuno Gift Clear All

Block cutter

Watercolor drawing depicting the activities of the block cutter for Japanese printmaking. Identified as "Fig. I". One of a series of drawings received about 1890 that later were used to model manikins and lay out the Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques.
Description
Watercolor drawing depicting the activities of the block cutter for Japanese printmaking. Identified as "Fig. I". One of a series of drawings received about 1890 that later were used to model manikins and lay out the Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques. Published in Tokuno essay on Japanese woodcutting and wood-cut printing, edited by S. R. Koehler for SI Annual Report for 1892.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca1888-89
ID Number
GA.03209.01
accession number
22582
catalog number
03209.01

Block cutter's tools

Watercolor drawing depicting the tools of the block cutter for Japanese printmaking. Identified as "Fig. II" with 25 numbered drawings of tools. The tools are catalogued as GA*03210.01-.25.
Description
Watercolor drawing depicting the tools of the block cutter for Japanese printmaking. Identified as "Fig. II" with 25 numbered drawings of tools. The tools are catalogued as GA*03210.01-.25. This drawing was published in Tokuno essay on Japanese woodcutting and wood-cut printing, edited by S. R. Koehler for SI Annual Report for 1892. One of a series of drawings received about 1890 that later were used to lay out the Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1888-89
ID Number
GA.03209.02
accession number
22582
catalog number
03209.02

Block printer

Watercolor drawing depicting the activities of the block printer for Japanese printmaking. Identified as "Fig. III" . Published in Tokuno essay on Japanese woodcutting and wood-cut printing, edited by S. R. Koehler for SI Annual Report for 1892.
Description
Watercolor drawing depicting the activities of the block printer for Japanese printmaking. Identified as "Fig. III" . Published in Tokuno essay on Japanese woodcutting and wood-cut printing, edited by S. R. Koehler for SI Annual Report for 1892. One of a series of drawings received about 1890 that later were used to model manikins and lay out the Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques. Printer shown seated with his furniture and tools.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1888-89
ID Number
GA.03209.03
accession number
22582
catalog number
03209.03

Block printer's tools

Watercolor drawing depicting the tools of the block printer for Japanese printmaking. Identified as "Fig. IV" with 17 numbered drawings of tools and furniture which are catalogued as GA*03211.01-.17.
Description
Watercolor drawing depicting the tools of the block printer for Japanese printmaking. Identified as "Fig. IV" with 17 numbered drawings of tools and furniture which are catalogued as GA*03211.01-.17. This drawing was published in Tokuno essay on Japanese woodcutting and wood-cut printing, edited by S. R. Koehler for SI Annual Report for 1892. One of a series of drawings received about 1890 that later were used to lay out the Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1888-89
ID Number
GA.03209.04
accession number
22582
catalog number
03209.04

straightedge

Straightedge, steel, for cutting straight lines and for fixing registration marks on the blocks used in color printing. Woodblock-cutter's tool used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No.
Description
Straightedge, steel, for cutting straight lines and for fixing registration marks on the blocks used in color printing. Woodblock-cutter's tool used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 1 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter. Old paper label "No. 1"
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.01
accession number
22582
catalog number
3210.01

brush

Wooden brush used for removing wood shavings during block cutting for Japanese printmaking. Bristles held in place by diagonal stitches. Fragment of paper label on handle.
Description
Wooden brush used for removing wood shavings during block cutting for Japanese printmaking. Bristles held in place by diagonal stitches. Fragment of paper label on handle. Woodblock-cutter's tool used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 2 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.02
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.02

knife

Wooden handle for engraver's knife for cutting design in woodblock. Round, tapered, wooden handle only; cutting blade missing. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No.
Description
Wooden handle for engraver's knife for cutting design in woodblock. Round, tapered, wooden handle only; cutting blade missing. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 3 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.03
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.03

chisel

Wooden handle with V-shaped chisel for removing small bits of wood between the lines of the design of a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No.
Description
Wooden handle with V-shaped chisel for removing small bits of wood between the lines of the design of a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 4 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.04
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.04

chisel

Wooden handle with U-shaped chisel for removing small bits of wood between the lines of the design of a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No.
Description
Wooden handle with U-shaped chisel for removing small bits of wood between the lines of the design of a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 5 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.05
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.05

chisel

Wooden handle with metal blade, flat, narrow chisel for removing small bits of wood between the lines of the design of a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s.
Description
Wooden handle with metal blade, flat, narrow chisel for removing small bits of wood between the lines of the design of a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 8 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.08
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.08

chisel

Wooden handle with tapered metal point, chisel for removing small bits of wood between the lines of the design of a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No.
Description
Wooden handle with tapered metal point, chisel for removing small bits of wood between the lines of the design of a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 9 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.09
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.09

chisel

Wooden handle with metal blade beveled on one side, chisel for removing small bits of wood between the lines of the design of a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s.
Description
Wooden handle with metal blade beveled on one side, chisel for removing small bits of wood between the lines of the design of a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 10 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter. Residue of paper label with Japanese writing.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.10
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.10

chisel

Wooden handle with sharp metal point, chisel for removing small bits of wood between the lines of the design of a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No.
Description
Wooden handle with sharp metal point, chisel for removing small bits of wood between the lines of the design of a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 11 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.11
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.11

chisel

Wooden handle with metal blade held in place by metal ferrule at base. Chisel for removing wood between the lines of the design in a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s.
Description
Wooden handle with metal blade held in place by metal ferrule at base. Chisel for removing wood between the lines of the design in a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 13 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.13
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.13

chisel

Wooden handle with metal blade held in place by metal ferrule at base. Chisel for removing wood between the lines of the design in a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s.
Description
Wooden handle with metal blade held in place by metal ferrule at base. Chisel for removing wood between the lines of the design in a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 14 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.14
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.14

chisel

Wooden handle with metal blade held in place by metal ferrule at base. Back of blade is beveled. Chisel for removing wood between the lines of the design in a woodblock.
Description
Wooden handle with metal blade held in place by metal ferrule at base. Back of blade is beveled. Chisel for removing wood between the lines of the design in a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 15 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.15
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.15

chisel

Wooden handle with semi-circular metal blade held in place by metal ferrule at base. (Ferrule is missing) Chisel for removing wood between the lines of the design in a woodblock.
Description
Wooden handle with semi-circular metal blade held in place by metal ferrule at base. (Ferrule is missing) Chisel for removing wood between the lines of the design in a woodblock. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 17 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.17
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.17

grindstone

Squarish block of dark stone used for leveling the surface of another stone (GA*03210.20) used to sharpen knives and chisels. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No.
Description
Squarish block of dark stone used for leveling the surface of another stone (GA*03210.20) used to sharpen knives and chisels. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 19 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
ID Number
GA.03210.19
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.19

grindstone

Rectangle of light stone mounted on wooden rest. Used for smoothing the rough edges of knives and chisels after they have been sharpened on grind stone GA*03210.21.
Description
Rectangle of light stone mounted on wooden rest. Used for smoothing the rough edges of knives and chisels after they have been sharpened on grind stone GA*03210.21. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 20 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.20
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.20

mallet

Wooden mallet used to drive chisel into wood block to cut design for Japanese printmaking. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No.
Description
Wooden mallet used to drive chisel into wood block to cut design for Japanese printmaking. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 24 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.24
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.24

Japanese printing

Wooden mallet used to drive chisel into wood block to cut design for Japanese printmaking. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No.
Description
Wooden mallet used to drive chisel into wood block to cut design for Japanese printmaking. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 25 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.25
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.25

grindstone

Rectangle of light stone with slightly rough edgest. Used for sharpening knives and chisels. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No.
Description
Rectangle of light stone with slightly rough edgest. Used for sharpening knives and chisels. One of a group of woodblock-cutter's tools used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 21 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.Stone 21 was used for the first or rough stage of sharpening the tools according to Peter Morse's 1982 essay on Tokuno's description of Japanese woodcut technique edited by S. R. Koehler and published in the SI Annual Report for 1892.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.21
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.21

brush

Wooden brush with very small bristles at one end. Used to brush sesame oil onto the block before cutting in Japanese printmaking. Woodblock-cutter's tool used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No.
Description
Wooden brush with very small bristles at one end. Used to brush sesame oil onto the block before cutting in Japanese printmaking. Woodblock-cutter's tool used in Graphic Arts exhibit of Japanese printmaking techniques from about 1890 to 1990s. Identified as No. 23 in watercolor drawing GA 03209.02 showing the tools of the block cutter.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03210.23
accession number
22582
catalog number
03210.23

drawer unit

Two-drawer wooden unit for holding printer's tools such as colors and color dishes for Japanese printmaking. The unit can be stored in the larger wooden unit GA.03211.01. See illustrations GA.03209.03-.04. Set of two.Currently not on view
Description
Two-drawer wooden unit for holding printer's tools such as colors and color dishes for Japanese printmaking. The unit can be stored in the larger wooden unit GA.03211.01. See illustrations GA.03209.03-.04. Set of two.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
GA.03211.03a
accession number
22582
catalog number
03211.03a

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.