David's Choice - Episode #11

Рет қаралды 575,994

Күн бұрын

This is the next in our 'David's Choice' series, where Tokyo-based woodblock printmaker David Bull introduces some of his favourite prints. This episode takes on a very large topic - Hiroshige’s masterwork ’53 Stations of the Tōkaidō’.
***
The old restaurant mentioned in the video - at Mariko Station - is called Chojiya. Their English website is here:
chojiya.info/english
The Mokuhankan website is:
mokuhankan.com
The Mokuhankan Collection (antique prints in our own collection) is:
mokuhankan.com/collection
Our Patreon page is:
/ mokuhankan
Our Twitch channel is:
/ japaneseprintmaking
Thank you for watching!
0:00 Introduction
4:22 Down the Tōkaidō Road: Starting at Nihonbashi
5:53 Tenth Station - Hakone
9:52 Seventh Station - Hiratsuka
12:17 Eleventh Station - Mishima
13:30 Twentieth Station - Mariko
14:52 Thirty-sixth Station - Akasaka
16:38 River Crossing Scenes
20:55 Ito Susumu, Kakegawa, and Discussion
26:39 Opening the Takamizawa Set
32:59 Looking at Smaller Sets
35:38 Bigger (Double Oban) Set and Weather on the Tōkaidō
38:43 Comparison of Different Editions of Chiryu
42:25 The Tōkaidō Then and Now
46:54 Story Time and Conclusion

Пікірлер: 547

@michaelburge7279 3 жыл бұрын

Dave - "we can't go through all 55 prints in detail" Me - "that's EXACTLY what I want"

@lukemusgrove3441 3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree, “please god do them all” 🙏 lol

@gordonclaydon6239 3 жыл бұрын

I would pay for this

@desktopturtle5785 3 жыл бұрын

@@gordonclaydon6239 So would I!

@lackynguyen8351 3 жыл бұрын

Well, but I'm sure that a David does not have enough time for such an series. He has a business to run afet all

@UkuleleVillain 3 жыл бұрын

yes please

@AustinLeeds 3 жыл бұрын

David, if everyone could be as passionate about their chosen field or interest as you are about yours, this world would be a far better place.

@motto25 3 жыл бұрын

to me that is the whole challenge of life, to first uncover that passion and then to realize its use in the world around you so that you leave it better than you found it.

@ThePlacehole 3 жыл бұрын

Nah, life is about contrast. If everyone were exceptionally passionate, no one would be. Thankfully, THIS exception runs a KZfaq channel. :)

@motto25 3 жыл бұрын

@@ThePlacehole that's probably just your urge to sand out and feel different speaking. Who cares if one persons more passionate than the next, so long as they're giving it their best. I think you're taking another common phrase and inserting "passionate" in place. If more people followed this guideline we would live in a much better place regardless of where you think you stand within that structure.

@ThePlacehole 3 жыл бұрын

@@motto25 no, in fact I feel like that's quite a cliché I'm parroting. Otherwise by that logic, everyone living x1000 years ago would have to be constantly miserable. Are richer people always happier, are sicker people always sadder? No. But GETTING suddenly sick, or rich, that's a different story. Similarly its why losing someone is much worse than never meeting them. That is why I'm saying life is all about what could be, not about what IS. That's not controversial, it's it?

@motto25 3 жыл бұрын

@@ThePlacehole Mhm I totally get the whole yin and yang/contrast/ups and downs/variety is the spice of life thing. Im JUST saying people shouldn't give up as easily on their passions. Even if it means slowly discovering/perusing them while working a meaningless 9-5. I would venture to say it would make the world a richer place. That's not controversial, it's it?

@superduperwiiuowner 3 жыл бұрын

This is as close to perfect as a youtube video can get, The educational aspects, The history, the beautiful artwork. What a perfect afternoon this has been, Thank you Dave Bull.

@nickwright7828 3 жыл бұрын

David Bull “we can do this all day” Me: clears my entire schedule to do this all day

@adamwest8711 3 жыл бұрын

I could have quite happily sat here and watched you go through every one of the prints in that store. Thanks for sharing this Dave. Incredible stuff and a welcome addition to this fascinating series.

@AaronWood 3 жыл бұрын

I love the board game "Tokaido," in which you play a traveler passing along this same route. Thank you for a look into the background and lore and the associated art with that time period. I'll definitely have a better understanding the next time I play!

@charlesedwards2856 3 жыл бұрын

As a history teacher, I often struggle to get my students to understand that these people existed, thrived, struggled, lived and loved, and passed onto their children the history they experienced. The people in those prints gave their everything for their descendants to get here today. As a famous quote from the movie “Amistad” goes, ”I meant my ancestors. I will call into the past...and they must come, for at this moment, I am the whole reason they existed at all.” I don’t know if ghosts exist, but if they did, then you were definitely surrounded by them that evening, in a good way. The connection you felt is something I hope my students can have even once in their lives. It is something I had the day I set foot in Diocletian’s Palace in Croatia and stepped on stones about 2,000 years old.

@adamwest8711 3 жыл бұрын

I felt the same way stepping onto the circus maximus. It’s not a lot to look at these days but I felt I could almost feel the crowd around me.

@colinbrightwell4544 3 жыл бұрын

Grading papers and I see a new David's Choice. Sorry kiddos, your grades gotta wait. Good to see David again!

@colonelrubix 3 жыл бұрын

36:38 - that’s also known as the Weezer Pinkerton album cover

@donosvan3623 3 жыл бұрын

i thought only i noticed lmao

@gabealegre6532 3 жыл бұрын

Virgin moment

@Goose_RL_ 2 жыл бұрын

Bro this guy knows whats up

@b_aleman 3 жыл бұрын

David!!! My buddy! Missed you dude!

@threeoutchange669 3 жыл бұрын

Goddamn you half japanese girls

@Trevololol 3 жыл бұрын

An hour long Dave's Choice.... wow.... can't wait to get through this one! Cheers Dave!

@brianmclaughlin470 3 жыл бұрын

Ml kk mj

@Soulessdeeds 3 жыл бұрын

@10:48 You know someone passionately loves their work when you see them talk about history like this lol. David never change my man. Never change.

@SubstanceASMR 3 жыл бұрын

David and his channel are a welcome moment of respite from the insanity of this world. Thank you David and keep it up you're doing great!!!

@joacoosi 3 жыл бұрын

That's exactly what I was thinking! it's like a safe calm place to come and enjoy the simple beauty of life.

@adamwest8711 3 жыл бұрын

The power of a brush!

@playsauce 3 жыл бұрын

Sanity returns November 3rd. Vote!

@pladmitry 3 жыл бұрын

@@playsauce Not everyone is american, you know

@kojote 3 жыл бұрын

I like that I also get history lessons with my ASMR 😉

@RichMitch 3 жыл бұрын

Check out The French Whisperer

@FxMoto 3 жыл бұрын

@@RichMitch this.

@nothinglikeburntvag 3 жыл бұрын

The problem with The French Whisperer is that I am too interested in what he’s saying to go to sleep! I have learned a lot about the cosmos from him though- he’s really good at making dense information accessible.

@northwestadvrider5638 3 жыл бұрын

What’s awesome about David is that he’s not even trying for the ASMR angle. He’s just so calm, with a gentle demeanor that it just happens!

@s_patzz8212 3 жыл бұрын

Me in 2019, "why would i possibly want to watch videos about woodblock carving in Japan"... Me now, " Nah mate, i'm staying in tonight, should be a new 'David's Choice' video on KZfaq."... Wonderful art and a fantastic presentation from your good self as always David, many thanks!

@aaaa6824 3 жыл бұрын

Oh my, that snowy print of Kambara Station is stunning.

@povilasm6010 3 жыл бұрын

I have same one 😎😂

@matthewsawczyn6592 2 ай бұрын

The band Weezer even used it for the cover of their second album, "Pinkerton"

@nahuelleiva8460 3 жыл бұрын

I'm simply impressed with the amount of knowledge this man has about Japanese art and history. It's amazing. I would love to have that knowledge about History in general.

@Kintaec 3 жыл бұрын

I could honestly sit and watch this kind of content absolutely forever! The way you bring life to the prints, with all the people that have been involved with the processes, objects, places over the centuries is just so engaging and wonderful! We miss this so much in the current age, where we just consume, consume, consume, and rarely stop to look. Thank you so much Dave - may you make many, many more such David's choice episodes! There'll certainly be an eager audience for them! ;)

@lukemusgrove3441 3 жыл бұрын

Couldn’t agree more 👍

@Dom21221 3 жыл бұрын

Same here 100%

@monty156 3 жыл бұрын

Well, this has made my day!

@iure_divino 3 жыл бұрын

I'm really interested to hear stories about how prints were originally displayed and distributed, thanks Dave

@raisavaz 3 жыл бұрын

Me too. That is a good topic.

@konrad7086 3 жыл бұрын

He mentions that half way within the video; it's not known how they were specifically displayed

@newintellectual. 3 жыл бұрын

I love you, Mr. Bull. Your passion, hard work, and determination are an inspiration for me. Keep spreading knowledge and awesomeness of your work.

@Greystorm1619 3 жыл бұрын

What a great story David, I really loved hearing you talk so enthusiastically about this guy’s prints and seeing the real life inspirations of these prints. It’s so cool just imagining what a place was like hundreds of years ago.

@matthewsawczyn6592 10 ай бұрын

Every few months I find myself coming back to this one. There's just something special about that last reflection

@0The_Farlander0 Жыл бұрын

Rather than spoiling the prints for me, knowing there are errors in even such prestigious works is something powerfully reassuring.

@themagickalmagickman 3 жыл бұрын

Today is going to be good

@ljjlander1 3 жыл бұрын

I say that every time a new video drops too lol

@BL00DSTAINGL0RY 3 жыл бұрын

Finally David has come back to youtube.

@adamwest8711 3 жыл бұрын

He’s uploaded some streams on acolytes of the baren. It’s obviously not quite the same as watching it live but it’s still interesting. You even see his home. That’s right, he isn’t at the shop 365 days of the year!

@andrewsiegel7672 3 жыл бұрын

The Brahma Bull

@John_Notmylastname 3 жыл бұрын

He also streams on Twitch. Under the name Japanese Printmaking. It’s really interesting as you can watch him carve live.

@1997AlexB 3 жыл бұрын

@@adamwest8711 He is there 365 days a year. He only goes home one day when its a leap year

@Breiitz 3 жыл бұрын

34:42 "We tend to start flipping through, without looking at them carefully". What a precise moment to say that. The print he's flipping through is the one where he pointed out to have a mistake (the white block), and it appears the smaller reprint missed that or chose to fix it.

@RenagadeZZZ 3 жыл бұрын

David we love each and every one of your narratives. These videos are priceless gems and I've enjoyed learning so much from each of them. Oh how I wish there would be more of them, but I can only assume they take a lot of time to put together and prep for. I will rewatch your older vids again and again. Keep up the good work.

@west9641 3 жыл бұрын

You can watch the vods of his streams too if you didn't know

@cantranslate 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful chat. I was almost moved to tears by the last part of the story staying just beside of the old Tohaido road. Thank you so much for your amazing chat!

@TennesseeBlink 2 ай бұрын

I love everything about this. The story of getting to walk on the old Tōkaidō gave me goosebumps.

@josephboyne9327 3 жыл бұрын

Dave, did you know that there's a popular board game called Tokaido, and it's all about people journeying along the famous road? I thought you might like to look it up because the art for the game is pretty great! Thanks for the video!

@Engineer_MKII 3 жыл бұрын

Dave Bull is the master of bait and switch. Baits us with ASMR and we end up leaving with a legit passion for woodblock printmaking and Japanese history...

@mrbaker234 Жыл бұрын

I absolutely love David's choice! Can't wait for another one to come out!

@KukiolStuff 8 ай бұрын

I just recently discovered this channel, and the thing that brings the most joy to me, is to listen to David talking about things he loves. He made this a great experience, like listering a good friend talking about something he is passionate about!

@Narokkurai 3 жыл бұрын

"...and I have a story..." Those must be the five sweetest words to hear from any elder.

@Survivalisto 3 жыл бұрын

Most people would split this into 10 seperate 12m episodes, each with a 30s intro, 1m promoting patreon, 1m promo for Ridge Wallet or RAID, and an outro with "Hey Guys, remember to CATCHPHRASE" But not Dave, 53m of uninterrupted content. Take some notes kiddos, this is how its done.

@ThoseWhoDare 3 жыл бұрын

Everything becomes interesting when David starts to explain. And time flies ... 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

@somewhereupthere785 9 ай бұрын

It just hit me. You are the Bob Ross of block printing.

@hsmxiang5337 3 жыл бұрын

Ah seeing this in my notifications made my day way better.

@strydyrhellzrydyr1345 6 ай бұрын

My god... That first one. You took out of that large set. SOOOOO beautiful

@n.b.7994 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Dave, I could watch for hours. So fascinating.

@quinsey9211 3 жыл бұрын

David you are nothing short of a dear friend to me. Thank you for the wonderful insight and stories.

@ZeldaMasterBoss Жыл бұрын

Absolutely lovely video! Made me not only want to buy a set of prints but also to go and visit some of the places in the Toukaidou route!! Thanks David

@concentratedregret6394 2 жыл бұрын

I started watching these videos when I was in university whilst I was working on some essay. After I graduated my father gave me what looks like the same collectors book of postcard prints by Takamizawa, now I can go through these prints alongside Dave and notice all these cool details.

@pragyamajumder1364 Жыл бұрын

I'm so thankful to have discovered your channel on a bank holiday eve in Delhi, it just made me immerse myself in completely in the charmed world of woodcut print and ukiyo-e. It's simply impossible for me to afford any such prints, and books will do just fine I guess, but your presentations make them so very special. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and the exceptional world of this mesmerizing art form.

@johnmcbrosel4840 3 жыл бұрын

I have NO idea how I got here, but I stayed for the haircut and enjoyed everything in this video. There is not a single boring second in this!

@ebenezer9072 3 жыл бұрын

Nice to meet you elder one its been a while take care and hope to see you soon I thankyou for sharing part of your life and knowledge with us strangers. 2020 sure is full of *SURPRISES!* I like it.

@kylo8805 3 жыл бұрын

I was scrolling through my KZfaq feed when I saw this video and the thumbnail caught my eye, my grandmother had that huge framed picture always hanging in her living room. Just very nostalgic.

@Zades145 3 жыл бұрын

A new David's Choice? Today is a good day!

@CptSyphilis001 3 жыл бұрын

this is why i love history. its just a collection of paintings but they tell this elaborate story, if you are willing to listen

@BMW-sd6nn 2 жыл бұрын

I think this is my favorite David's Choice, just stunning stuff.

@soniya6908 3 жыл бұрын

you're a natural-born srory teller! the hour just flew by! david's choice is my favorite feature!

@peterjensen6844 3 жыл бұрын

"Palpable reality of the old road"...damn, that's an incredibly powerful statement

@robbieeason1898 3 жыл бұрын

This was something special, akin to the men and women that trekked this road you took us on a journey through art and through time. Thank you for your passion David, it’s a joy every time I see you have posted. Love from Scotland.

@RenHolden Жыл бұрын

Amazing how at 34:42 Dave says "We tend to start flipping through without looking at them carefully" just as we get to see another version of the Hakone print shown at 6:00 !

@MeanderingSlacker 10 күн бұрын

I feel like they function like postcards, t shirts, signs, posters, badges, and trading cards at a gift shop. A lot of US National park merch, is probably an analog. They feel like tourist, traveler, and collector merch. It's evidence that someone went on the travel or a memory from the travel. There's also escapism in it of course. Honestly, if you look at all the ideas that have come out of Japan in terms of art and products, wood blocks definitely feel like a major stepping stone.

@pameladaley955 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so very much, David! What a thrilling journey.

@StonyRC 3 жыл бұрын

Classical art, brought to LIFE in a way that few are able to achieve. Thank you David, you are one in a billion!

@defreshh9961 3 жыл бұрын

Such a huge fan. Was longing for another upload and here it is! 😃

@zacharyavery6082 3 жыл бұрын

David, 6 months ago I binged your series on the Great Wave. I needed a quarantine hobby, and so I got a book on wood carving from my local library. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING YOUR PASSION INTO THE LIVES OF STRANGERS You're a great guy! Keep up the good work!

@StephenWorth 3 жыл бұрын

I founded a non-profit arts organization to help young artists to think like an artist, not just train for a job in art. I see everything that I aspire to do in this video. It's inspiring. Thank you.

@cromotocciano 3 жыл бұрын

The story about the hotel with the old road brought me unexpected joy. Thank you for sharing.

@macklee6837 3 жыл бұрын

Good to see you back, Dave! Missed you 🤗

@lradmclovin9 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, Dave

@bryanquick3349 3 жыл бұрын

art history hour with gentle-voiced printmaker grandpa is a joy

@jacksoncordray1593 3 жыл бұрын

My thoughts exactly

@MrKudos1992 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic stuff. Your videos are always great, but this one was especially interesting and enjoyable. You manage to weave in all the various topics very naturally and talk about it all in such a captivating way. Thank you for sharing your time, knowledge and experiences with us all, and long may these videos continue.

@protopigeon 3 жыл бұрын

Utterly fascinating. David's enthusiasm is infectious!

@fogheta 3 жыл бұрын

Man, these uploads are always something to look forward too, great work！

@matthewensign9683 5 ай бұрын

Started watching this out of unintentional ASMR, but then got sucked in to the storytelling. Now I'm bingeing it all.

@danielbwinters 6 ай бұрын

Dave, it was a wonderful experience listening to you talk through these prints and their history. Thank you for making this marvelous videos!

@florianb81 3 жыл бұрын

I love the way you present the topic. Very concise and knowledgeable. Also it is clearly visible that this all is coming from your heart. Your passion shows. Thank you for sharing all this with us.

@Omnihil777 3 жыл бұрын

When Dave rubs his hands it sounds exactly like 2 washi papers... you become what you do. Thank you for all these wonderful presentations.

@jevansiom1 3 жыл бұрын

Literally been rewatching videos for months now a 1 hour video!? Today is a good day ☺️

@xKagryx 2 жыл бұрын

David is just like the best art history professor ever.

@Awesomeface2213 3 жыл бұрын

My interest in history has once again been rejuvenated

@davidg6395 3 жыл бұрын

My day started off well. *David uploads new video* And now it's a great day!

@GlassesnMouthplates 3 жыл бұрын

I got here to see what prints Dave have to show us today, became amazed by the wonderful works of Hiroshige, fascinated by how the print collections evolved through centuries and decades, amazed by the historical connection between real life and the art based on them, and finally enlightened by how art is basically the perfect way of preserving one's existence. I can't appreciate this wonderful series more.

@MamaSymphonia 3 жыл бұрын

A one hour David's Choice omg hell yeah

@plaidbloodpete Жыл бұрын

Dave - "Not to worry. I'm not about to work my way though this entire stack of prints." Everyone else - "Awwwwwwww!"

@MagSanJon 3 жыл бұрын

Don’t know how I landed here but sure glad I did. So soothing during these harsh times. Please tell me more....

@AlgorithmMockery 3 жыл бұрын

This mans enthusiasm is a breath of fresh air. Sincerely enjoy listening to him speak to his passion.

@joonasvareenmusiikki 3 жыл бұрын

Always a pleasure to listen to you, mr. Bull. Greetings from Finland!

@tamatama5181 3 жыл бұрын

I wish my university professors are as passionate and intriguing as you are. I wasn't interested in art nor history but this series changed my mind.

@orbtastic 4 ай бұрын

I went from watching an old 80s documentary about nonces in prison to this, got to love the algorithm. Interesting video, thanks!

@josephs9341 3 жыл бұрын

Nothing better than slipping away to a more peaceful time for an hour with David.

@jordangroff8978 3 жыл бұрын

A 52 min vid from Dave?! 2020 ain't so bad after all!

@adamwest8711 3 жыл бұрын

It’s the little things...

@nomiium 3 жыл бұрын

This was a really well put together episode, loved it and the story. Makes you think just how important art was / is in giving us glimpses into the past.

@FishyFLCL 3 жыл бұрын

I would like to see more of this stuff on KZfaq. I want more collegiate like videos based on Japanese history and culture. I miss going to those kind of classes during college.

@hombretropical3028 3 жыл бұрын

YOU'RE ALIVE!!! :D :D :D

@markreed1859 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely luv the passion david shows, and the enthusiasm that comes through his videos. Never thought I'd go down the "woodblock hole", but here I am, and very glad for it 🤷🏻‍♂️🥳👍🙋🏻‍♂️🤔😁😊☺️ David, your absolute love of your craft is an inspiration. Keep doing ya thing ! Big fan, M.R. boston,ma

@TimStamper89 3 жыл бұрын

David - I'm not going to work my through them all Us - we really don't mind

@habsman610 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks David! Thoroughly enjoy this series. Keep them coming.

@NoblenessDee 3 жыл бұрын

the 1918 photos with side by side to prints is real nice piece to have for all time.

@Filthyweeb39 3 жыл бұрын

Im so happy to see you'r doing well David. I hope everyone else is too. I love your work and story telling and hope to see you continue the awesome work for years to come!

@Pipsqwak 3 жыл бұрын

You are a consummate narrator and storyteller! I could listen to you talk about these masterpiece prints, their settings and history, all day. Thank you for this!

@angelobortolini 3 жыл бұрын

hands down the best channel on youtube thank you so much for sharing these stories!

@trickyg3693 3 жыл бұрын

Create your own prints. New style, new techniques... begin the next era of print combined with technology.

@sageWENG 3 жыл бұрын

All your videos are very enjoyable, but this is special to me. The last time I visited your shop in 2019, I purchased 5 prints from Mokuhankan. When I brought the prints up to the counter you looked at them and seemed surprised then asked why I picked these specific prints. I just picked what I thought looked nice, but you told me they had a common subject, Tokaido! You gave me a great synopsis of its history and this video felt like a continuation of that conversation. I got my prints out and looked at the ferry print and the shono prints I got from you; mine is the postcard-sized ones and I liked to compare them to their larger counterparts. Dave thank you for adding more enjoyment to my life.

@TheBeastBandit 3 жыл бұрын

“Good evening-“ Me: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

@sierrasanders1048 3 жыл бұрын

I swear these videos give me true respite from my troubles. I don't know if I would have made it through these past two years if it weren't for the calm I found watching these. It's always a joyous occasion when there's a new David's Choice.

@hkentw 3 жыл бұрын

Sixty-some years ago, an innocent young sailor washed up on the shores of 1958 Japan, and fell under the spell. A treasured feature of that, remains Hiroshige’s Tokaido no goju san sugi. Now, these many years later, very late at night, in a land far from his memories, with tears in his eyes, an old man offers you eternal thanks. You have created a masterpiece of true storyteller’s art with great meaning for me.