David's Choice - Episode #11

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

[@AustinLeeds]

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]

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]

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

[@motto25]

@@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]

@@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]

@@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?

[@michaelburge7279]

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

[@lukemusgrove3441]

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

[@gordonclaydon6239]

I would pay for this

[@desktopturtle5785]

@@gordonclaydon6239 So would I!

[@lackynguyen8351]

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]

yes please

[@superduperwiiuowner]

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.

[@adamwest8711]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[@b_aleman]

David!!! My buddy! Missed you dude!

[@threeoutchange669]

Goddamn you half japanese girls

[@nickwright7828]

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

[@colonelrubix]

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

[@donosvan3623]

i thought only i noticed lmao

[@gabealegre6532]

Virgin moment

[@Goose_RL_]

Bro this guy knows whats up

[@SubstanceASMR]

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]

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

[@adamwest8711]

The power of a brush!

[@playsauce]

Sanity returns November 3rd. Vote!

[@pladmitry]

@@playsauce Not everyone is american, you know

[@nahuelleiva8460]

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.

[@Trevololol]

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

[@brianmclaughlin470]

Ml kk mj

[@BL00DSTAINGL0RY]

Finally David has come back to youtube.

[@adamwest8711]

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]

The Brahma Bull

[@John_Notmylastname]

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

[@1997AlexB]

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

[@Breiitz]

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.

[@kojote]

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

[@RichMitch]

Check out The French Whisperer

[@FxMoto]

@@RichMitch this.

[@nothinglikeburntvag]

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]

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]

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 KZbin."... Wonderful art and a fantastic presentation from your good self as always David, many thanks!

[@colinbrightwell4544]

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

[@Soulessdeeds]

@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.

[@Kintaec]

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]

Couldn’t agree more 👍

[@Dom21221]

Same here 100%

[@newintellectual.]

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

[@themagickalmagickman]

Today is going to be good

[@ljjlander1]

I say that every time a new video drops too lol

[@Greystorm1619]

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.

[@aaaa6824]

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

[@povilasm6010]

I have same one 😎😂

[@matthewsawczyn6592]

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

[@iure_divino]

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

[@raisavaz]

Me too. That is a good topic.

[@konrad7086]

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

[@futuristica1710]

This is really interesting! I love your stories and explanations of this great artform! We are so spoiled! Thank you, David! Fun fact: the print at 37:37 was used as the cover for Weezer’s 1996 album “Pinkerton”.

[@RenagadeZZZ]

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]

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

[@cantranslate]

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!

[@matthewsawczyn6592]

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

[@monty156]

Well, this has made my day!

[@0The_Farlander0]

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

[@KukiolStuff]

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!

[@Engineer_MKII]

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...

[@zacharyavery6082]

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!

[@josephboyne9327]

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!

[@ebenezer9072]

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.

[@mrbaker234]

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

[@pragyamajumder1364]

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.

[@bryanquick3349]

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

[@jacksoncordray1593]

My thoughts exactly

[@soniya6908]

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

[@ZeldaMasterBoss]

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

[@hsmxiang5337]

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

[@TennesseeBlink]

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

[@Narokkurai]

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

[@n.b.7994]

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

[@robbieeason1898]

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.

[@concentratedregret6394]

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.

[@BMW-sd6nn]

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

[@Zades145]

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

[@MrKudos1992]

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.

[@pameladaley955]

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

[@kylo8805]

I was scrolling through my KZbin 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.

[@somewhereupthere785]

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

[@peterjensen6844]

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

[@macklee6837]

Good to see you back, Dave! Missed you 🤗

[@defreshh9961]

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

[@maximim220]

52 minutes? aww yeah

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

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

[@StonyRC]

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

[@johnmcbrosel4840]

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!

[@TheBeastBandit]

“Good evening-“ Me: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

[@jordangroff8978]

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

[@adamwest8711]

It’s the little things...

[@fogheta]

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

[@hombretropical3028]

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

[@ThoseWhoDare]

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

[@Pipsqwak]

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!

[@nomiium]

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.

[@jevansiom1]

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

[@dinkaboutit4228]

I love this video series so much. Just my favorite thing on KZbin. Thank you, Mr. David! I hope you and your family and your business and employees are all making it through this period unscathed.

[@Filthyweeb39]

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!

[@Sailing_seel]

KZbin suggested this to me for seemingly no reason. I absolutely loved the video. This is wonderful. Thank you so much.

[@quinsey9211]

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

[@FishyFLCL]

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

[@Survivalisto]

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.

[@habsman610]

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

[@iangillham9647]

Lovely to see you again and here very early before one and a half K...

[@TimStamper89]

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

[@alexandercamilleri1871]

Amazing. You manage to take us into another world. Thanks.

[@projekt6_official]

Dave, these videos are FANTASTIC! I love them! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@DanihelMetalPromotion]

I've missed this! Once Tokyo fully opens up to tourism again I will come visit the store (if you're open) :)

[@melissareed7110]

Love love love this. Thank you David.

[@vanessathenavigator]

Oh my goodness. This was the best video. Hearing about what the prints can tell us about the history of these locations was so interesting and fantastic and made my day. Thank you David!

[@KokoroInt]

What an awesome and wonderful journey! Thank you

[@Omnihil777]

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

[@Nicci9lives1]

I could sit and listen to you tell these stories all day, I love your passion. It would be GREAT if you could find the time to do more story telling, with pictures and all!!!😁

[@danielbwinters]

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

[@protopigeon]

Utterly fascinating. David's enthusiasm is infectious!

[@florianb81]

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.

[@loganwinter7441]

Glad to see you sharing your beautiful collection again! I always look forward to your new videos as I've watched all your older ones! Your the best!

[@lukemusgrove3441]

Thank you Dave, I’ve watched your clips many times, your enthusiasm and passion is inspiring and your quiet tone makes every video a joyful lesson in an otherwise alien culture and genre, thank you my friend, long may it continue

[@bigmaccification]

Wonderful series Dave, thank you for taking the time to share the craft and history with the world.

[@marshallkupka-moore2046]

You're the best Dave! Thanks for your time and energy 🙏🏽☯️🙂

[@nicovanos]

These prints are absolutely amazing.

[@AlgorithmMockery]

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

[@gpallay1240]

Now that was a great journey! Thank you David!

[@debrapepe1724]

So wonderful. Thank you!

[@johnwiesenfeld]

These videos are so special, thank you for making them. Loved the story at the end of seeing the preserved road itself!

[@tigg5036]

Absolutely wonderful, really enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing your knowledge & passion

[@erchisebat4813]

Made my day, the shows are always fun to watch !

[@ryanfernandes1592]

These videos are so insanely good. I went from knowing a tiny bit about the Great Wave and nothing else to a big fan through just the sheer passion, knowledge, and excitement you bring. Never change and never stop

[@KSignalEingang]

Thank you for sharing this fascinating journey! I was glued to the screen for an hour at least (had to pause and rewind a few times to take in the details of some of the prints). Your storytelling is every bit as sharp and subtle as one of Ito-san's carving knives.

[@pedropicado954]

Beautiful, David. Just plain beauty! Thank you so much! :)

[@wilson1988]

This was such a treat. My favourite of the David's Choice series so far. One of my favs of yours in general, in fact. Lessons in Japanese art, history and geography paired with your excellent stories and commentary. I look forward to the next!