Misty day in Nikko - 1. carving the key block

Рет қаралды 31,802

Жыл бұрын

Reproducing ‘Misty day in Nikko’ by Hiroshi Yoshida.
For part 2 and 3 please follow these links
Misty day in Nikko - 2. colour building
• Misty day in Nikko - 2...
Misty day at Nikko - 3. a print is born
• Misty day in Nikko - 3...
My name is Taran Casey and I am an apprentice Japanese woodblock carver under master carver Asaka Motoharu of Takumi Hanga.
This video is documenting the production of a project I am working on for Mokuhankan reproducing this stunning shin hanga design by Yoshida Hiroshi.
In this videos we will look at the up close carving of the key block for this print. I talk about techniques I employ, as taught to me in the traditional system, some talks about the print and it’s history as well as some rambling thoughts I have had during the production of this block.
Subsequent videos in the series will be about colour blocks and printing. Please be patient while I work on finishing this project, I’ll get the next video out as soon as I can.
Once the project is completed this print will be available to buy on the Mokuhankan we site. I will post a link when it’s up for sale.
I hope you enjoy, its my first videos and I’m still not confident in my filmmaking and even less so I’m my voice but we all have to start somewhere.
Happy making everyone.
Website: www.ginkohanga.com/
Instergram : ginko_hanga...
#mokuhanga #making #woodblock #woodblockprint #japanesecraft #japaneseart #shinhanga #ukiyoe

Пікірлер: 121

@seseragistudio Жыл бұрын

Taran-san, wonderful video! So much information! It's not that I was in any doubt that you would be able to get this print made for us, but having seen this, I think it is clear that it is going to be a very special production. And old Yoshida-san would be very pleased to see the care and attention going into your work ... It's going to be so cool to have this print available again!

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much Dave! I have 😅, but it will get done eventually. One block at a time it’s coming! Thanks for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Slightly strange see you on the other side of this. Twilight zone.

@EliotChildress 15 күн бұрын

I’m also someone who works with wood and usually think of myself as a patient person. But… wow. I can’t even imagine. It’s amazing in every way. Congratulations on a life well spent. I’m glad to know you’ll be carrying this tradition into the future. Looks like a it’s in great hands.

@MalloryCurtis 18 күн бұрын

beautiful and inspiring work

@Vee_of_the_Weald 8 ай бұрын

What I find very interesting is that the background music you chose corresponds (I’m a ballerina) to either the bare exercise/warm up in ballet - which we use to “cut our lines correctly”, just like you do, over and over again until it’s second nature, just like you do with carving a block and printing over and over again until carving becomes intuitive. Other music you chose corresponds to exercises on the pointes 🩰 where we do the same turn over and over again until it’s near enough perfect and muscle memory takes over. Your thoroughness pleases my thoroughness :) 🙏🏻

@GinkoHanga 8 ай бұрын

Finding the right music takes so long, I’m glad you appreciate it. if you have any suggestions for future projects please me me know I’m always on the look out for more!

@omkr0122 27 күн бұрын

This video is very peaceful. Would love to see it again

@GinkoHanga 25 күн бұрын

Thank you I’m glad you enjoyed. Please enjoy parts 2 and 3 !

@omkr0122 24 күн бұрын

@@GinkoHanga I will and thanks

@lcox6468 9 ай бұрын

This type of work is exquisite. They seem to have a character all of there own. I wish people today would fall in love with old techniques instead of mass production. You are doing an amazing job and very lucky to be able to go to Japan.

@sjain8111 19 күн бұрын

so interesting & explained so well & Facts such as 10-yr apprenticeship answer unspoken questions… even the graphics are used sparingly to perfection

@GinkoHanga 16 күн бұрын

Thank you very much your very kind. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

@MoranetzMakes Жыл бұрын

Thank you for making this video! I know it adds a lot of extra effort to do the filming/editing, but it’s very exciting to see the progress.

@ThePaidiose Жыл бұрын

Such a pleasure to watch a master craftsman in the making!Look forward to buying the print for my collection.

@lou7859 Жыл бұрын

Well worth waiting for Taran-san. I will be coming back to watch again many-many times. Thank You.

@Amtcboy 3 ай бұрын

Impressive.

@jacekmachowski4722 Жыл бұрын

wow :) Great Work. Thanks you very much for the opportunity to view your work technique. Best wishes :)

@mobspeak 3 ай бұрын

Seems very meditative.

@GinkoHanga 3 ай бұрын

Yeah you sound give it a go.

@deniseweavinghannah 7 ай бұрын

This is so healing!

@GinkoHanga 7 ай бұрын

😍

@jakobgjertsen2801 Жыл бұрын

Wow! Looking forward to see more of the process and the final image! Love the explenation troughout, toughts and problemsolving along the way!🤩 Also verry relaxing with music and voice audio! Inspirational! Shin hanga😍😍

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, your very kind!

@mokuhanga1 Жыл бұрын

Superb work, Taran For promoting your account, 'mericans type surname last , Hiroshi Yoshida, and perhaps this should be in the video title. 👍

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the advice I didn’t think the order of the words would effect the reach. I’ll flip it round cheers

@mokuhanga1 Жыл бұрын

@@GinkoHanga "I studied Japan's old woodblock prints, learning their merits and demerits. Now, I have thought about why there are no good modern prints. I came to realize modern works had 2 shortcomings: first, they tried to emulate hand-drawn brushstrokes and, second, constrained by old traditional methods, they failed to experiment with anything new. The aim of shin-hanga is to create works replete with creativity and rich in artistic quality, by avoiding enslavement to hand-drawn painting and old models." Watanabe Shozaburo Yoshida Hiroshi preached and practiced in the same vein. Food for thought. 😃

@MoranetzMakes Жыл бұрын

@@GinkoHanga also I wanted to mention that the audio level is a little low. It sounds great when I turn it up, but then the annoying KZfaq ads deafen me haha. I have had trouble with this too so I just wanted to mention. Again, great video all around and thank you!

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

That’s an interesting quote. Where did you find that one ?

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

Sorry about that I’ll get the balance better on the next one

@tillum7593 10 ай бұрын

Excited to see it in color!!

@bruh.6264 Жыл бұрын

This is amazing and passionate work. You are incredibly inspiring, and I hope that one day I will find my passion as well.

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

All I did was play around and this one stuck haha, have fun !

@ROCO1778 Жыл бұрын

Amazing work and a very good video. A pleasure to watch🤍

@Croi_Fiain 5 ай бұрын

Only just got here from David Bull's 2023 update. I wish I had even 10% of your patience. Your dedication is admirable! Really interesting listening to your narration as well, and the music is perfect. I wish you all the success you earn over the years and look forward to seeing how you develop the craftsmanship!

@GinkoHanga 5 ай бұрын

Thank you! Here’s to a 2024 with many more prints to come🥳

@leCanard0 Жыл бұрын

Loved your video, I will be listening to every future release!

@alanrothnie1410 7 ай бұрын

Just got onto your channel, i think you will be a Master carver. Love your work👏👏

@dr.gregoryashley3843 Жыл бұрын

i'm so proud of you mate. i dont have the words. I am delighted that you have found your calling. I wish you all the very best.

@morningsounds Жыл бұрын

This is spectacular, thank you for making this. There's information in here that is, to my knowledge, completely inaccessible elsewhere and risks being lost to time. For example, concrete strategies and movements used to carve without turning the block, technique and order for clearing wastewood with the gouges, lowering the registration marks below the print surface (so smart!) etc. Dave has been on the forefront of cataloguing this sort of knowledge for a long time; it's fantastic to see new faces doing the same. For those who are unable to seek an actual apprenticeship, this stuff is gold. I also feel very similar to you; I've always had an unstoppable appetite for hobbies, and for laser-focusing on them until I reach proficiency. Of course, only a handful have stuck around for the long haul, but for those that have, they're a continuing source of immense joy and meaning. The act itself of creating, of improving and recognizing that improvement, and of having produced a finished work, all act together to create a virtuous and rewarding cycle. I've only been carving for just two years, and I have not yet produced anything worthy of pride; I hope I stick with this long enough that I might. In the meantime, I'll continue to enjoy the process. Thanks again for making this - you have a wonderful talent! Yoshida is one of my favorites. I'll be keeping a close eye on this channel. :)

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much @mornings I’m really glad that there are people out there like yourself who are enjoying the content and understand why I’m putting time into try and film and document this stuff. developing, moving towards a goal and creating in something, to my understanding ,the clearest ways to find some sort of meaning in this all. And for me (and you by the sounds of it) carving has been that something. I hope you keep up with you carving and keep finding joy in it. Good luck with your carving, and I’ll try and share what I learn.

@davidh8373 Жыл бұрын

Very glad to see your carving video, awesome job

@vividlabskp Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this! I really appreciate your explanations, both on the context and on the carving. So nice to see the traditional method.

@orion7741 Жыл бұрын

Wow! so nice. I came here after hearing Dave mention you in his annual update video and I am so glad he gave the recomendation to all of us to come see your video. You are doing a really great job with your carving!

@pamelasorrells2187 Жыл бұрын

Great job Taran-san!

@mastercmdr78 Жыл бұрын

Taran, great work on the video! It’s good to see the work you were telling us about on the streams. I can’t wait to see the next one and keep up the good work.

@rach_eh Жыл бұрын

Omg. Wonderful video. This type of work/craft would bring me so much satisfaction! The precision is delicious - beautiful work!

@tonywatson987 Жыл бұрын

What a great instructional video Taran-san! Really good voice-over, noting those tiny little nuances, like how you hold the knife vs the chisel. Surprising to see the differences in technique between you as a right-hander, and Dave-san as a southpaw, plus you keeping the same orientation and moving your body, rather than his approach of moving the block. I like that small touch of reducing the height of the kento to protect the baren ... something I'd not noticed before. And your video technique is very impressive, especially at 13:42 'focus' - brilliant! Subbed!

@tuhkathri9126 Жыл бұрын

The dedication to learn the requisite skills is impressive. I look forward to adding this print to my collection.

@brianrosswakeham6577 Жыл бұрын

Well done Taran-san. Great video for those who are or want to learn. Also love your perspectives on life.

@mangakazgz 2 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your art :)

@meltdowngrfx969 Жыл бұрын

Great video! Thanks for sharing your carving knowledge 🙏

@proj_4st313 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video! Loved the narration - so calming! Can’t wait for the next video in the series.

@AnetteY11 Жыл бұрын

Super interesting, thank you so much! Makes me realise what a beginner I am 🤗

@MrSupersheep3000 Жыл бұрын

I really hope you continue this Taran-San. Really beautiful work.

@ryanboeding1318 7 ай бұрын

Love the work Taran, keep it up, stay focused.

@cassinoman4435 Жыл бұрын

Incredible work for the first video in this series. Exquisitely brought together your passion for carving, but also a triumph in another area that has clearly inspired you, the story-telling and insightfulness that we so often see from career craftspeople like David Bull. V excited to see your own style of storytelling develop!

@bawk7311 4 ай бұрын

Your work is really inspiring for me. I’m currently majoring in Printmaking and have a fondness for Ukiyo-e. I think I might travel to Japan eventually to study more. I’m glad that you were able to travel and learn from the masters there. I thought that door would be closed for me as a foreigner, but your story has given me some hope and inspiration.

@GinkoHanga 4 ай бұрын

Good luck with your own print making. It’s wasn’t an easy rout to take, the account I gave was condensed. I’m not sure it it’s a road map for anybody to follow, but there are ways to study for a time here!

@albertomartinezalbors9079 8 ай бұрын

😳 masterful work

@GinkoHanga 8 ай бұрын

🙇🏻

@hrnekbezucha 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for the commentary, it's fascinating

@d.yitzgoldstein3515 Жыл бұрын

Absolutely lovely... Posted to some of my artisan communities so that they too can appreciate your gifts

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing it !

@egbertmodderman Жыл бұрын

Stunning skills, thanks for sharing !

@eoinoriain7958 3 ай бұрын

amazing work , love your dedication 👏

@e.m.youtube Жыл бұрын

I really appreciate your calm voice and the soothing music in the background. In combination with your explanations and thoughts this was a really enjoyable walkthorugh of the process. Looking forward to seeing the other videos in the series and accompanying your journey on mastering print making. Glad to have found you after one of Dave's streams ^^ Keep up the great work

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I’ll try and get the next video out soon and keep calm vibe but fix the bugs!

@johnmcmunn3827 Жыл бұрын

GREAT ..thx for the video ...please continue ....

@owmspace6143 5 ай бұрын

This is extraordinary work

@barsorrro Жыл бұрын

This was just lovely to watch. I love Japanese prints, but I don't have anything to do with carving (apart from watching Dave Bull quite often :)) -- yet watching somebody doing a work they are so dedicated to, and which takes so much effort, is very inspiring.

@LiquidFlower 5 ай бұрын

I recommend linking the next video in your description :D lovely video and great intro for me into what wood printing looks like!

@GinkoHanga 5 ай бұрын

Omg yes thank you I forgot to do that!

@Vee_of_the_Weald 8 ай бұрын

Your minutiae is so satisfying. I hope you know how very talented as well as clearly skilled you are.

@GinkoHanga 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much 😊

@mark6662 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic video, really interesting to see the process of carving the blocks. Looking forward to more in the future, keep up the good work.

@Jotape1971 Жыл бұрын

We need more videos! please, regards.

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

Work on this print got delayed a little with other jobs but I’m back on it making the colour blocks. Sorry hopefully it will be worth waiting for haha😅

@alexobrads Жыл бұрын

great video, really appreciate all the information you put in it. please make more when you are ready :)

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

Im going to knuckle down and shoot it out as soon as I can.✊

@_Ronin_-fo4rt Жыл бұрын

I thoroughly enjoyed this video and look forward to purchasing this amazing block work you have created

@_Ronin_-fo4rt Жыл бұрын

P.s when will this piece be available?

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

Thank you I’m really happy to hear people are enjoying it, it will be available at mokuhankan when it’s finally done !

@simonedoherty6195 5 ай бұрын

Thoroughly enjoyed watching your meticulous work. A couple of questions. What is the wood you were working with please? Obviously a ply but what was the carving layer. The hangi-to seemed the work through it quite easity but you used a mallet to clear larger areas with the gouges. Also, how often do you strop or sharpen your hangi-to on a piece of this intricacy? Keep up the good work, will definately be watching the following videos. Thanks again.

@GinkoHanga 5 ай бұрын

Thank you, I’m happy to hear, I hope the next videos please :) The wood is a mountain cherry. I keep my knife pretty sharp and I’m only carving just over a millimetre so the carvings not very strenuous but the wood itself is quite hard. As to how often I sharpen it a little tricky to say, I carve with three knives so that if I chip or one gets dull I can continue without stopping. So I’m judgment of how often i sharpen is a little off. Depends on how well I sharpen, the wood and how good the steel is at that particular point but ranges from once a day to once a week.

@simonedoherty6195 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for your detailed reply regarding your sharpening. Having a number of knives available to work with sounds like a sensible idea so you don't lose the flow of carving when one blade needs work.

@BartKevelham Жыл бұрын

10/10 for the video, but that's a 1/10 peel. Tsk tsk tsk. Jokes aside, a lovely video. I hope you keep them coming. It will be great to follow along with your progress.

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

I was waiting for that one 😂 I left it on while working the upper section because it was really hot when I was carving and I knew it would take a while so I left it to protect it from peeling.

@felix496 7 ай бұрын

Bro, I found this video after searching for very precise woodcut like gustave doré's and your story aslong as your skill really moved me. Thank you for the video and the work. I hope you'll succeed with your career as it unfolds eventually. that s so inspiring

@GinkoHanga 7 ай бұрын

Thank you man I’m glad you enjoyed it. Not supper familiar with western woodblocks busy Gustave does some really amazing things with light!

@timandrenata 5 ай бұрын

Wow - your passion for carving is amazing and inspiring! I'm wondering how much time it took for each of these stages in this video? It looks like carving the lines would take hours and hours.

@GinkoHanga 5 ай бұрын

It’s just very satisfying work! I don’t remember the exact time it took but it was about a month of carving for the key.

@simonettahelena986 Жыл бұрын

Well,…I subscribed! Love everything about this video, particularly the little gems you have strewn about. For example, the carving action that originates from the hip stance or energy, or using camellia oil and a toothbrush to make the process easier. Can’t imagine information such as this could be gleaned anywhere except from a master carver or one who was trained by one and kind enough to share with others. Loved your musical selection, too. Might I suggest Mozart piano concerto 21 Andante for a future video? It would once again be a meeting of sublime things to watch you carve and listen to by, just as it was with ( if I recall correctly)Debussy in this wonderful video!

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

Thank you, I’m not well versed in classical more of a jazz fan but I think it works better for this video, maybe I’ll add your suggestion in the next video😉

@crissteejonas 3 ай бұрын

Nice work Ginka Hanga!! Appreciate the patience and peaceful mind that are your work companions. Also fun jumper you wear, is "NO COFFEE' somehow related to your work philosophy?

@GinkoHanga 3 ай бұрын

Cheers man. NO COFFEE is a coffee brand from Japan, not a philosophy just an old barista coffee snob hahah

@crissteejonas 3 ай бұрын

@@GinkoHanga hehe, I feel tricked!

@crowah6083 10 ай бұрын

This is amazing how it's good ! thanks you very much for sharing ! (I've just started my first woodblock carving yesterday , i'm so far from you... ) For the next video just check levels on your voice before export, this one is far from standard (but sound good !). Have a nice day !

@GinkoHanga 10 ай бұрын

Thank you, yeah it’s really frustrating but the program I was using changes all the audio levels once I export it and I didn’t notice. I’m using different software now so hopefully the next one will be better. Good luck with your print !

@oldjapanesephotos3684 2 ай бұрын

Great carving skills, you remind me of the great masters of Adachi publishing house era :) I'd like to get into woodblock carving, not only collecting them. Could you recommend a professional hangito, like the ones you're using? (I can buy from Japan)

@GinkoHanga 2 ай бұрын

Thank you! It’s fun making your own for sure you should try, you can buy the carving knives from woodlike matsumura I use the 4.5 mm blades. Good luck

@ahoeltje Жыл бұрын

This was a great pleasure to watch but the sound is not so good. I’m afraid most of the finer details in the narration were lost to me. You mentioned getting a second camera but I suggest a better microphone should also be on the list. Maybe a donation link for equipment? Hope to see more of your work soon.

@ahoeltje Жыл бұрын

Excellent! I found your Patreon page and joined.

@GinkoHanga Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Allan!

@broakland2 10 ай бұрын

Is it up for sale yet? So much work and dedication, thank you for the video!

@GinkoHanga 10 ай бұрын

It’s in its final stage of testing and then it will be out shortly. Not long now!! Exciting times 😊

@wac8516 2 ай бұрын

like japanese prints. wondered how many days to do this block? how many blocks for full print? would quess going to sleep after a day of carving would be no problem. i was electronic mechanic repairing things for planes and can say after 8, 10 or 12 hr days was so worn out the same doing physical work and ive done both so i know. so enjoyed your vid. thanks

@GinkoHanga 2 ай бұрын

Hi I’m not sure exactly how many days as at the time I was working on this part time. I was still teaching and I had other assignments that I made thought. Start to finish it was about 6 months. The full breakdown of the blocks is in the final video. It’s fun but doing anything for 12 hours every day becomes tiring! Thank you for watching

@MrHorstinator1212 Ай бұрын

Awesome video! What exactly is the advantage of not moving the block at all during the carving process?

@GinkoHanga Ай бұрын

Thank you. This is a big question with a lot of nuances reasons, but there are a couple of advantages. One is speed, when you are carving delicate dots and lines and you turn the block it’s easy to lose you place and can’t see where you cut because of the light, so this slows you down. Second is the feel of the lines, it’s best to cut curves in on fluid stoke and if you stop and start as you turn you can lose the life in the lines your carving. Another reason is that bigger blocks are difficult to carve sitting in the traditional way if you turn to cut lines. It’s not easy to reach the top of an Oban block in portrait without getting up. There are a bunch of other reasons to do with the angle of the knife and how pigment is brushed onto the block.. too much to go into in a comment. It takes a long time to get comfortable carving this way but once you got it, it makes life a lot easier. That’s not to say we don’t turn blocks at all! Hope this helps

@MrHorstinator1212 Ай бұрын

@@GinkoHanga Thanks for the informative answer. I experimented today a bit with not turning, and it felt absolutely impossible + the results were horrendous :D it is always very humbling (and informative) to see somebody leagues above your own skill "show off" their hard work. Looking forward to the next series, if something like that is planned.

@GinkoHanga Ай бұрын

It takes a while, I was really strict with myself for a long time wouldn’t turn for any reason and I became comfortable. It comes eventually if you’re persistent!