Exhibition showcasing Japanese woodblock printing technique opens

Islamabad:Ambassador of Japan Mitsuhiro Wada opened a week-long exhibition featuring the traditional Japanese woodblock printing technique, Moku-Hanga, at the National Art Gallery here on Wednesday.

The event titled “Moku-Hanga prints from Pakistan” was organised by the Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association and Khad’o Khaal Gallery at COMSATS University Islamabad in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan, the Pakistan National Council of the Arts, and the National Testing Service Pakistan.

It showcased the blend of the traditional Japanese printing techniques with Pakistani artistic expressions, according to organisers. They said the groundbreaking project united Pakistani artists with Japanese specialists to delve into the centuries-old Moku-Hanga printmaking technique, known for its use of water-based inks and its delicate, nuanced results.

The exhibition featured a remarkable collection of prints created by Pakistani artists under the mentorship of Japanese Moku- Hanga master Prof. Dr. Shahida Mansoor, the first individual to earn a Doctorate in this woodblock printmaking technique from Tokyo National University of Art and Music in 2001.

The Japanese woodblock printing originated in the 8th century as a method for distributing texts, particularly Buddhist scriptures, and for printing designs on paper and silk. Over time, the themes of this art form broadened to encompass iconic romantic landscapes and dramatised historical events by the late 19th century. The small, solid wooden blocks used to press against paper produce enchanting imprints. Ambassador Mitsuhiro Wada said that Moku-Hanga had played a significant role in Japanese art for centuries.