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Japanese Woodblock Prints
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 5 Happy Crabs Original Woodblock print on Japanese washi paper signed Clark!  US $59.99
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 Swimming Frogs Original hand pulled Woodblock print on Japanese washi signed US $29.99
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Here are some more information for Japanese Woodblock Prints:
The unique qualities of clear acrylic stamps make them a perfect choice for scrapbooking. Stamping on scrapbook pages has always been a challenge. Placing the stamp and avoiding excess ink are a few of the concerns that keep most scrapbookers from trying stamping techniques on their page layouts, but now with the availability of clear acrylic stamps, anyone can get fantastic results from stamps on their scrapbooking pages.
Clear acrylic stamps, also called polymer stamps, are different from traditional wood block or foam-backed rubber stamps. They are more economical because they are not pre-mounted. Clear stamps are naturally tacky and stick to an acrylic block. They are easily removed allowing you to reuse the block again and again. You simply purchase unmounted clear stamps from any manufacturer, and these work with any clear acrylic mount. Buy a larger mount first that can be used with both small and large stamps. These stamps are also much easier to store, and because they are acrylic, they are lightweight and easy to transport to scrapbooking crops or classes.
Using clear stamps with scrapbooking couldn't be easier. Choose from words, designs and image clear stamps, and peel and stick them to an acrylic block. Now you're ready to start stamping. Because the block and stamp are transparent, you can see exactly where you want to place the imprint. No more misaligned prints! You will have precise placement every time and no more guesswork or stamping mistakes.
Another unique feature of clear acrylic stamps is the ability to mix and match them. With wood and rubber stamps you have to realign your stamps to use more than one stamp together. It takes at least 2 stamping imprints to achieve the same results with one acrylic block. While you can use your clear art stamps individually, the ability to peel and stick to a large acrylic block makes it easy to stamp entire phrases or scenes with one stamp. Just choose your stamps and arrange them all on one clear mount. They can even be from different stamp manufacturers. It's even possible to cut portions of one stamp apart and arrange them in a different pattern for stamping or use only a part of the stamp. Clear art stamps offer much more versatility and functionality than rubber stamps.
Because new stamps tend to resist ink, many scrapbookers recommend conditioning your clear stamps before you use them the first time. Some use a fine grit sandpaper and others prefer a pink eraser. Simply, scuff the surface of a brand new stamp. This will help it to hold ink more effectively. After stamping with ink, clean it with mild soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Avoid oil-based cleaners, acetone and bleach because these can damage and break down your stamp. Some scrapbookers have difficulty getting a crisp image from clear polymer stamps. To improve the quality of the ink impression, try using a cushioned-surface under your scrapbooking paper. A soft mouse pad works well for this purpose. Using this cushioning effect may take a bit of practice, but the results will be worth it.
Be sure to store your clear stamps in a dark place away from sunlight or indoor lighting. Light can discolor and harden them prematurely. Some inks can stain them, but this won't affect their use. Because they are polymer based, one downside is that they do not last as long as rubber stamps will, but with proper care and storage, you will get years of scrapbooking with quality images from your clear stamps.
Christine Perry is an avid scrapbooker and has over 10 years of scrapbooking experience. Her favorite scrapbooking subjects are her reluctant teenagers. She invites you to her website, http://www.intoscrapbooking.com for more scrapbooking tips and scrapbooking ideas for a graduation invitation
Ancient Japanese Printmaking Techniques
What is it about this old Japanese art that I love?
I've always been fond of certain ascpects of Asian culture, from Martial Arts (of which I train in a few) to artwork such as Taoist paintings (I love the minimalism) and Japanese prints.
One of the things I really love about the Japanese printmaking methods is that no matter how simple the design of the print, you can tell how it would require many years of tough practice in order to produce such artworks - and not just the prints themselves, the paper too as I discovered!
In my research into the Japanese printing techniques I was surprised to find out that traditionally it wasn't just one person who made a print - it took the combined work of up to four people to create a print!
I hope you will find the printmaking techniques interesting.
First of all, what does Ukiyo-e mean? And how do you pronounce it?!
The term Ukiyo-e originated from the Buddhist term Ukiyo. Ukiyo referred to the material world as being un-pure and filthy - as opposed to the world after death.
Slowly however this term changed to mean something else. Japan had been a war-torn country for hundreds of years, but in the Edo period (the 17th century) it was brought together under the Tokugawa shogunate and the wars ended.
This brought with it a rise to artistry and the appreciation of beauty. Urbanization was on the rise, and Edo became the center of culture and pleasures. The term Ukiyo changed to mean "the floating world" - referring to the fleeting pleasures and freedom from the concerns of everyday life.
The Japanese prints during that time usually depicted this carefree philosophy and thus came to be known as Ukiyo-e: "pictures of the floating world".
I have only a small understanding of Japanese, however looking at how it's written it's pronounced as follows:
U (like "oo" but short)
ki (as it sounds)
yo (again just as it sounds)
e (as in the "e" in "met")
So when were these techniques created? Woodblock printing techniques had actually been around for a long time before they became popular in Japan. The Chinese had been using woodblock printmaking methods to make books for hundreds of years - and lots of these books could be found in Japan as well - however, the first Japanese illustrated print book only appeared in 1650.
The book was "Ise Monogatari" which was a famous traditional Japanese story, but in this book the text had the main focus, and the prints secondary. This slowly changed however until prints were made as unique artworks - meaning they had begun to be seen as true art pieces.
The Ukiyo-e however weren't made just for art's sake - there were lots that were created as advertisement posters (not the famous ones obviously).
So who was involved in the creation of the Ukiyo-e prints? Printmaking wasn't a solo act...
Even though the Artist of the Japanese print got the credit for the art piece there were three more craftsmen involved:
The master woodcutter: the tradesman who carved the woodblock according to the artist's sketch.
The Printer: mixed the colors and actually did the printing.
The Publisher: in charge of co-ordinating the efforts of the Artist, Woodcutter and Printer. The Publisher also chose how the print was going to be published.
About the Author
I've been researching into these printing techniques because I've been creating customizable Japanese print products, you can add your own text, change background colors and the size of the products. Funky 
Where can I buy an affordable art print or poster of "Cat Making-up" by Tomoo Inagaki?
I've been having trouble finding somewhere online that sells a print or poster of this particular piece. Tomoo Inagaki did Japanese woodblock prints and did some wonderful cat pieces. "Cat Making-up" is a wonderful piece that I'd love to have in my home, but I cannot seem to locate anywhere that sells it at a reasonable price. Thanks in advance for whatever help you can provide.
I tried allposters.com and had no luck there.
try
www.allposters.com
I've had really good luck with them
From Buddha to 'Super Robots', Japan stars in Monaco
A thousand years of Japanese history, from ancient Buddhism to "No" theatre or manga robots, takes centre stage this summer in Monaco with a giant show devoted to the land of the rising sun.
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