Contemporary Japanese Prints - A New Wave

A 21st-century chapter of Japanese printmaking

Contemporary Japanese printmaking represents the living continuation of a long artistic lineage. While the Modern era refers to post-war shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga masters, this section is dedicated to the work of today’s artists - individuals who carve, print, and publish their own editions. Their art grows out of traditions stretching back to ukiyo-e & beyond, yet speaks with a distinctly contemporary voice, addressing the aesthetics and sensibilities of the 21st century, broadly spanning the Heisei (1989-2019) through Reiwa (2019-present) eras. From Tokyo workshops to small studios in Kyoto and beyond, these artists are united by a commitment to the handmade: original works printed in limited editions, created with the same respect for materials and pigments, together with the handmade papers that have sustained the tradition for generations.

At Kumo Arts my focus is on curating and directly supporting this very new wave of printmakers, from internationally recognised figures to independent artists rarely seen outside Japan. These contemporary Japanese prints include woodblock (mokuhanga), wood-engraving, and mixed media works, combining cultural continuity with fresh experimentation - whether striking abstraction, lyrical landscapes, or playful, imaginative imagery. For collectors they offer high-quality, affordable access to original art by living Japanese artists, each piece a testament to the vitality of the medium today. This collection demonstrates that Japanese printmaking is not a closed historical chapter but a vibrant, evolving practice, where tradition and innovation continue to meet on paper.