Dave Bull Carves Hokusai's Picture Book of Everything | Curator's Corner S8 Ep6

If you make woodblock prints for a living, you know the name Hokusai, and if you’re a woodblock carver and you hear about original drawings from Hokusai that have never been carved into prints you would most likely do a little happy dance.
Which is exactly what David Bull did when he found out about the collection of original Hokusai drawings known as the ‘Picture Book of Everything’, recently acquired by the British Museum.
Well, we don’t know if he did a little dance, perhaps just in his head maybe? Anyway… he was very excited. So excited in fact that he immediately contacted curators at the Museum to see if they would be interested in a collaborative project to turn some of these original Edo era designs into woodblock prints.
We visited David’s workshop in Asakusa, Tokyo to find out how one would approach such an endeavor.
00:15 Welcome to Tokyo
00:36 Dave reads his morning paper
01:08 The idea takes shape
01:39 What does the process involve?
02:44 Different designs in the collection
03:55 Working from original drawings
06:42 Different carvers different cuts
07:16 The tools of the trade
You can explore any and all of the British Museum's Hokusai prints on the Museum website here: britishmuseum.org/collection
If you'd like to buy Tim Clark's book on the drawings, you can get it here: bit.ly/3CiiKBj
You can find out more about Dave's woodblock shop, Mokuhankan here: mokuhankan.com
This film was made possible with the support of the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation.

[@ThonyHedgehog]

That moment when you're subscribed to both David Bull and the British Museum. Gotta love when universes collide.

[@kidmohair8151]

collide? combine.

[@HandmadeDarcy]

Yes!

[@pepealexandre]

Indeed. I though I was watching this at David's channel. Great collaboration.

[@sleepytime5518]

I thought I was the only one. Well, after I realized this wasn’t some weird dream. 😅

[@Blizzarkian]

Quite a club 😂

[@Freshwater121]

The man, the myth, the legend

[@janbernad4729]

SCOTT STERLING! I am so sorry

[@ScottCalvinsClause]

I've never before seen a man so stoked and at the same time so calm

[@superduperwiiuowner]

WOW! Dave in the British Museum. If I recall, he said there were some Hokusai Wood Block Prints in the museum that he used as reference material early on. He's got such a cool story, I'm happy that he is getting showcased!

[@alessandroaverchi7067]

Seeing Dave on the British Museum Channel and having been a fan of both for many years makes me unreasonably happy

[@Gdsm9]

Dave! Doing Curatorial Corner for the British Museum. That is tremendous! Well done sir!

[@NathanRuzzock]

Dave Bull is a legend. For any BM subscribers, I strongly recommend looking at Dave's past videos - particularly the ones that explain how a Canadian with no prior background in Japanese art ended up becoming one of the foremost contemporary makers of ukiyoe prints.

[@ConnorMurphy-ku8hb]

This video was a gateway drug into the awesome that is Dave Bull.

[@singing-sands]

What enthusiasm! I think Dave Bull and Irving Finkel would get along quite well if they ever met!

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

The meeting of the epic vintage beards! 😆

[@LVCIVS-AETERNVS]

This man has found his purpose in life and I am very glad for him and a little bit envious, since I am a wanderer between jobs and studies who doesn't know what to to in our modern world.

[@laurajohns1286]

Me too. I like the term ‘wanderer’ though!

[@powerfrenzy]

Dave's video styling is a good match with British Museum. I've been following him for years 😊

[@BMW-sd6nn]

Had the privilege of meeting Dave at the beginning of April this year and it was such an honor. Incredibly nice person and the prints are just incredible. Thank you Dave san!

[@JJONNYREPP]

Dave Bull Carves Hokusai's Picture Book of Everything | Curator's Corner SE8 Ep6 2204pm 8.6.23 not forgetting the forgers of wood blocks who may have missed out a simple etch here or a smudge there.. and given the print a whole new meaning... therein probably lies a great deal of bemusement and/or humour...

[@stargirl7646]

I met him this year as well haha!

[@MaysonCrowe]

I first learned about David Bull maybe 6 years ago when I taught English in Tokyo. He was one of the interviews the students had to listen to! Absolute legend.

[@SodaDjinn]

I'be been following Dave for years now. It's always a pleasure to listen to him and I have to say this is one of his best talks yet!

[@joshuarosen6242]

I was talking to my daughter this afternoon and saying that intelligent people who know what they are talking about speak fluently without using a lot of filler words. Dave is a great example of this. He is a hugely talented and knowledgable carver and is also highly articulate. I should add that I was not criticising my daughter by implication.

[@Edo_Marinus]

You make a very good point. In addition, this man’s profession implies that he has almost unimaginable reserves of patience, so he won’t be falling all over himself to get the words out.

[@kittysplode]

you shouldn't tell your daughter lies. intelligence does not necessarily equate to fluent communication. there are so many issues that can keep someone from communicating the things that they understand in a way that can be properly understood, but that does not debase their understanding of the topic. what you're teaching your daughter is to abuse people with autism, schizophrenia, social anxiety, etc. how about don't. ^-^

[@kittysplode]

oh, not to mention language barriers~

[@daisuke1639]

What do you mean when you say "filler"? Filler is a term in linguistics that refers to the turn taking process of conversation; the words and sounds we use to indicate that we are pausing our speech, but still wish to continue speaking. Surely you don't mean that, right?

[@Edo_Marinus]

@@daisuke1639 Obviously, OP means hemming and hawing and the use of expletives* such as “like”. * In the linguistic sense of the word. Not that I’d want to be, like, pedantic about it, right?

[@avicennam7708]

Finally Dave🎉😊

[@1Dylan1]

Dave Bull is a gem. Thank you to The British Museum for embracing his work and giving him more of the recognition he deserves.

[@kispankum]

This is wonderful! The perfect collaboration. Thank you British Museum for supporting this project.

[@lumitic774]

WOW I follow David for years now! Him being in the british museum channel is well deserved. He is a master of his craft and a great speaker

[@tonyk1584]

Pretty cool! And, the Dave's enthusiasm is contagious.

[@renebohmer3206]

This collab is very unexpected, but very much appreciated.

[@matthewsawczyn6592]

From humble enthusiast to master of his craft to working with the British Museum. Well done, Dave 🙌

[@MiguelJuanez]

So happy for him and his team! Well done and thank you David Bull.

[@AnEnemy100]

The improvised bulb + bottle of fluid = spot light appeals to me.

[@465maltbie]

I love your infectious enthusiasm for this, how wonderful it is to have a once in a lifetime opportunity come to your door. Charles

[@trailhops]

Dave: “can I have access to Hokusai’s sketches so I can bring them to print for the first time ever?” British Museum: “How are you on camera?”

[@Omeomy]

Dave’s done tons of videos on his KZbin page👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@trailhops]

@@Omeomy I can hear Dave “how am I on camera?! I hung up, got on a plane, and there I was in Britain!”

[@therealzilch]

Wow. And wow. It's so wonderful that we still live in a world where this is possible. Thank you Dave Bull & Co, thank you British Museum, and thank you Hokusai. cheers from sunny Vienna, Scott

[@WhatAMagician]

His passion for his craft is so infectious. What a wonderful video!

[@seattlebeard]

Your work is so important for history. I get at least as much pleasure hearing you speak and enjoying your beautiful expressive face.

[@patriciaburns1033]

You are so incredibly lucky to be Hokusai's modern day interpreter, your relationship with my favourite artist will be forever embedded in future art history, and the trust the British museum must have in you surely deserves my respectful bow sir, I look foward to seeing all 12 finished prints, Bravo!

[@jrlakin370]

Dave Bull is my hero

[@PaulJHershey1]

Thank you. I am so pleased you came up with this idea, that you had the skill to see the idea come to fruition, and that the British Museum supported your project. Best of luck going forward and completing your proposed twelve Hokusai woodblock prints. You made my day when I learned of this endeavor.

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

I'm glad I got recommended this... Just after finding the 2023 update video.. It showed me this. Glad to see David getting noticed

[@GailitisPrintmaking]

Hi Dave! So nice to see you! Everyone who hasn't subscribed to Dave absolutely has to!

[@tonyevans9999]

Having been lucky enough to experience a comprehensive Hokusai exhibition here at the NGV in Melbourne, my amazement is hereby renewed. Thanks!

[@theBoonarmies]

would LOVE to see the footnote about the flask of water in front of a light source that David touched on momentarily, expanded on at some stage. a fascinating idea.

[@sybilvane645]

I was fascinated with this video I watched it over and over again.

[@dukecity7688]

Marvelous. I am in awe. 🌊

[@ClearlyPixelated]

Absolutely wonderful! Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@rhohoho]

Oh my! The crossover I should have seen coming but could never have hoped for. I was so excited when the British Museum debuted this work, I immediately purchased the book. Now to find Dave Bull and friends are cutting prints from this lost work! Simply amazing!

[@Chance-ry1hq]

When I was in 7th grade I had a similar experience. In my industrial arts class we were carving wood blocks to make prints. I came across the ancient drawings of Charles Schultz, and decided to memorize one of his drawings with a carved wood block print. The carving and print earned me an A+. The Charle Schultz drawing I chose to memorialize was Snoopy laying on top of his dog house, with Woodstock standing on his stomach. I believe this woodblock and print reside in the dusty back room of a famous museum somewhere waiting to be rediscovered and put on display.

[@user-kx5lb3br3x]

This guy is a Twitch Legend. His Twitch streams, vods are PhD level

[@delboykinobi5273]

British museum.... I hope you know what an amazing GEM you have in DAVE BULL LUCKY YOU

[@Stick-a-fork-in-Gmorks-tort]

David and the Mokuhankan family doing great things always bring a smile to my face.

[@Martin1911A1]

Wonderful to watch. Thank you.

[@APV878]

Absolutely Amazing!

[@zargonfuture4046]

A beautiful and gentle art form. Very important to humanity.

[@stargirl7646]

4:58 oooh is that Guan Yin? Lovely drawing!

[@wileyvangogh]

Brilliant, inspirational, love the passion for the history!

[@jayjaynezmerize6774]

Super interesting! Thx Team!

[@PraecorLoth970]

Dave is a treasure. Great video.

[@lindadaniel5403]

Fascinating, thank you very much.

[@Captain_Blackbean]

The greatest Dave on KZbin. Awesome project.

[@damianknight8064]

amazging video and loved the light bulbs being magnified with the flask of water

[@YarX0]

This was utterly fascinating, thank you ☺

[@Durmomo0]

Love to see this, what a great project. I enjoy watching Dave on twitch making prints as well :)

[@mojosbigsticks]

I remember that BM piece, it was fascinating. Well done on seeing the next step and taking it further.

[@syradon4051]

Wohoooo David Bull, nice and interesting person with a wonderful joy for the old woodblock prints.

[@eduardofajardo4661]

I have loved Japanese woodblock prints for decades. This is great news and I am eagerly looking forward to seeing some of the fruits of the collaboration between Dave and his Japanese carvers and the BBC. Congratulations, Good Luck and Thank you.

[@lievenmoelants]

Simply wonderfull!!

[@exactlyaron]

Dave on Curator's Corner! Stop being so outstanding please!

[@KlausBeckEwerhardy]

Thsnks for sharing that. Very impressive.

[@nzlemming]

Awesome. I spent the video thinking "tell me about the flasks" and then he did. Beautiful work!

[@inmodulo]

Thank you, in a world of cynicism, your passion and articularity is a pleasure to behold. Keep rocking your passion Dave!

[@wordscapes5690]

Fascinating!

[@okancanarslan3730]

amazing project

[@colinsmith5218]

Thank you! Very nice collaboration of two excellent channels. Irving Finkel said that all things come to the British Museum: looks like is was right. Hoping to visit your Asakusa shop this summer.

[@user-np6pd3wf4l]

It would be very interesting to have some information on the pigments used, and what they are mixed with.

[@rodeastell3615]

An excellent and amazingly interesting video ... thank you for posting.

[@manuellubian5709]

Fascinating. Please consider doing a "Part 2" and let us see the inking process. I think that part is interesting as well.

[@perevision]

Oooh, this is amazing!!! I remember seeing the original pages at the exhibitions and they’re exquisite. I hope that more Japanese ateliers are able to collaborate too… imagine being able to work from as close to Hokusai’s original brushwork as possible! Maybe if enough people request pages we will eventually see a whole chapter in print, or just enough to make their own book.

[@cdean2789]

He loves his work. 🙂👍

[@thomasmurphy9268]

Yes, David!

[@natesquestyouknowthatsrigh8269]

Amazing ❤

[@ptonpc]

That is amazing.

[@Myndness]

I lpve it, I can feel his excitement. I love carving but this fine carvin is just astonishing to me. Makes me wanna try some printing too.

[@garthbrooks4583]

Oh my! What wonderful content

[@Sweetgi28]

Worlds colliding been watching David for a long time

[@JJW410]

Yay, Dave's my favourite! So glad to see his face elsewhere :D

[@inventiveowl395]

I'm sorry this whole video is amazing but I got distracted by the light difusion setup above the carving space.. Now I'll have to get myself a round bottom flask and hang it above my table for model building :D

[@justjane2070]

Yes ! I was distracted too 😊

[@Oldtanktapper]

I’ve seen the flask of water light focusing set up in old photos of jewellery workshops, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it in use in a modern setting, and in a separate field of work.

[@IAmSweetPea]

My son has been living is Shikoku since 2013 and often goes to Tokyo for business. When he sees this video, the artist in him will be compelled to see your shop. When a handsome, curly-haired 30-something guy walks in the door, that’s my Ralph. You’re gonna love him…… you’re so incredibly talented.

[@ZeldaMasterBoss]

I'm visiting his shop in 3 or 4 weeks after I get to Japan. Love his prints!!

[@christineingram55]

It’s nice to see that you are still doing traditional printing,as they would have done their work hundreds of years ago.I can’t even imagine how long it takes to do the blocks for those coloured pieces on the wall.They were wonderful.I love Chinese and Japanese art too,bit dear for my pocket,but I spent 3 yrs in Honkong as a Kid and apart from the heat I have so many happy memories from there and with my parents .We had a lot of silk prints when we came home.I have two, my brother has my favourite two though..Thank you for such an interesting video

[@opwave79]

I saw a woodblock print exhibit in San Francisco several years ago that featured some of Hokusai’s key blocks his shop used to make the prints. It’s amazing.

[@Sophie-db1ko]

❤❤❤ would love to watch a 2nd video documenting the part of the process where the 3 versions of each artisan is being compare. He mentions the topic of how much is this practice a creative one and how much is it an executive one.

[@rickredmanwallart1766]

Dave is the man

[@martinschafer6002]

So cool to see you featured in Curator's Corner!

[@mikeharrington5593]

A labor of love

[@futuristica1710]

The legend.

[@Wyshes]

It's Dave! On the British Museum Channel! Little things that make you happy!

[@MikeSmith-su8ee]

Long may he continue to a legend.....national treasure.

[@user-hy6cp6xp9f]

just met dave a few days ago. amazing guy

[@Carlos-qz7ul]

Unexpected ! 😳💕

[@yellowpitch1840]

I learned something and I felt this curators passion. I'm a new fan of woodblock prints. I might even visit a museum 🙂

[@andrewowens4231]

Welcome to the club. I stumbled across David Bull's KZbin channel by accident and have been hooked for years ever since. Amazing craft! Enjoy the journey :)

[@julieressler1301]

I loved this! I am forwarding to all my grandchildren and friends! I carve but not with such excellence. I 'll try to do better!

[@goblinsnorps1773]

YEAHHHH LETS GOOO DAVE BULLLLL

[@shiraga0516]

I didn't know about Dave's shop/workshop despite I'm from Japan. I will definitely visit there when I come back to Japan next time.

[@elizabethhurtado2829]

I accept flaws, I dont reject them.

[@ecurewitz]

They just had a Hokusai exhibit at the MFA in Boston showing a bunch of his works, and other of his contemporaries, including mute Great a wave off Kanagawa, and a Great Wave off Kanagawa made of legos

[@christopherevans4743]

Wow, Absolutely amazing. I have a an original Japanese print by Kono Bairei and its beautiful. Really interested in the outcome.