David's Choice - Episode #3

[@jadeCeladon]

Your cadence and love for the medium is just as much a treasure as looking at this print.

[@B33rsauce]

1 year ago, but yes this is why i love his work - his passion for the craft is amazing

[@alexmitchell1377]

Much greater treasure by my reckoning!

[@MikePulcinellaVideo]

I knew nothing about, nor was ever interested in Japanese printmaking before stumbling across this channel. Now I am addicted to your videos, David. Thank you.

[@tubepkn]

This is the kind of video that I really, really like. The details that you give about the production of these prints is something that you hardly find in books, if at all. I own a few woodblock prints, and now this video makes me get them out of the drawer and have a look at them again. I'm sure that I am going to like them even more now, than I did when I bought them. Thanks David!

[@lewisbenson5301]

dunno if anyone cares but yesterday I hacked my girl friends Instagram password by using instablaster. Just google for it :D

[@GlassesnMouthplates]

Who knew one of the most mesmerizing videos on KZbin that gave me a new point of view and appreciation on classical art happens to be a 16 minutes commentary over a 19th century Japanese magazine "pin-up".

[@jamescash8051]

When Dave Bull speaks about Japanese wood block printing, I listen to him. Thank you very much

[@Drakub]

I just literally can not even fathom how 16 people gave this video a dislike. I mean, seriously. This is just wonderful content. Top notch.

[@OwenPrescott]

I hope it's just some kind of bots otherwise those people don't have a soul.

[@hunterr.2333]

Most places on the internet are dark, this corner that you fill with your joy is full of light, David-sensei

[@Voltaire8559]

14:15 onwards, David made my eyes tear up very much... “Ill never know who she was you know... I am, as you expect, am very very grateful to her, so much pleasure from me and now for so many other people too...I am kind of biased about these stuff of course, but I honestly think that this print and others of this type, they are among the most beautiful things ever created by the hand of man. No complicated tools, no machines at all, and **no pretension to high art**.Its just a handful of men going about their daily routine work in the production of something to be used as something casual part of people’s daily lives. But the combination of their efforts came together in something like this that is absolutely a breathe-taking creation. The likes of which I suspect we will never see again.”

[@JimmyFoxhound]

I grew up watching Bob Ross & I so enjoyed watching him paint and listening to him talk about his art. He fueled my love of art and seeing the beauty of nature around me. A piece of my childhood was lost when he passed away. Now it feels like I found that lost piece of childhood, David's passion and excitement about showing art to people reminds me so much of Bob. I'm so happy I found your channel David. The world desperately needs more people like you. Thank you.

[@Agirlandher_dad]

Came for ASMR, found a new series to Watch

[@ellasian]

Amazing! I'm really enjoying this "David's Choice" series - a fascinating and fitting addition to you regular Mokuhankan updates. Thank you.

[@cantranslate]

After 4 years since this episode, I am so lucky to watch this fantastic introduction of this fantastic ukiyoe work. Thank you so much David to kindly and generously share your treasure with us. Best wishes to you! By the way I am in Vancouver watching every of your videos now.

[@jamesmacgregor3911]

The only person that can give me ASMR from a far distance my ears just pick up his voice and I get goosebumps...

[@george-vhs]

I am also extremely grateful to this unknown lady that has kept this print as well as to you for so wonderfully sharing the story! A week ago I would probably have walked by such an exhibition, I hope a bit slow but nevertheless without realizing what I was missing. It still puzzles me what has captured my attention so much! I expect a part is because of my interest to the beauty, craftsmanship and the culture of a people, shown through these prints, as I slowly come to understand from the videos. I feel there are a lot more stories to tell, heading off to check the patreon page now. Thank you !

[@liz_8835]

You, David, are a special kind of person who is so passionate and knowledgeable in the love and history of Japanese woodblock painting. I’m so glad I found your channel, educational, entertaining, and relaxing all in one.💙

[@brettcastro97]

I can't believe these beautiful and detailed pieces of art were just found in old Japanese magazines. How incredible.

[@unclvinny]

1896!? That's incredible. Terrific story, thanks for sharing, David.

[@ricochet188]

Man your channel is so good! I could listen to you talk all day and the passion you have for your craft really brings a special quality

[@danemeow8]

This is so amazing. Being an artist myself you almost made me cry this episode, especially by the end. To have so much joy and righteous passion for what you do, to make something so spectacular even though it will just be put in a book as a freebe and then forgotten; thats true pride and mastery in your art. I have always felt like Japanese artisans have embodied this true mastery maybe better than any other group in history. Its the simple joy of the skill and labor.

[@PortlandSawMill]

I Absolutely love watching your videos David. You look like a man who has carved out a life for himself where he can't wait to get up in the morning and enjoy another day.. You have converted me into a huge woodblock print fanatic

[@seseragistudio]

Yep; that's the usual morning routine ... I'm sometimes not so sure about things at the other end of the (long) day ... :-)

[@nigellee9824]

Loved David's choice episode 3...about people walking past his work wthout stopping.....reminds me of my first exhibition over 40 years ago. In the gallery there was an area that sold books, one gallery viewer was standing in between two of my paintings reading a book on trains. ...

[@bakuganman34]

At first I just found your videos relaxing but quickly they became a lot more, they are so full of information. You seem lie such a lovely person with a passion for your work, and I cant wait to binge watch all of your content! so please do keep up this astounding work!

[@jvogler_art4708]

it's insane the level of work that went into such a simple image. You can tell the man who made it believed in the importance of effort. I think he wanted to be renowned for his skill and talent. He spared no expense in the amount of work his was willing to do for his craft. I respect that commitment and level of devotion for something as simple as a magazine print.

[@evandempsey7613]

To answer your question about what people think is so beautiful about ukiyo-e prints, I think part of it is the uniqueness of the Japanese aesthetic. For me at least, one of my favorite things about woodblock prints (and ink paintings, etc.) are how Japanese artists represent landscapes. The minimalistic, soft-edged shapes blend into each other and create a very mysterious atmosphere that I find very appealing. You're doing very interesting work, David, keep it up!

[@projekt6_official]

Have said it before on your older videos and will say it again - your videos are an absolute joy to watch, no matter the subject. One of very few videos I click "Thumbs up" before the video even starts and am never disappointed or tempted to change it. Thank you for all you do!

[@Gdsm9]

These David's Choice videos are my favourite. I like to learn about the art form, and he gives great talks. The enthusiasm is infectious, too. :)

[@RikerLovesWorf]

Excellent video! Kept me gripped the whole time. I'm really glad to see more frequent updates. I hope the Patreon is going well so that we can have more videos!

[@garfunky2]

Wow I learned so much from this! I would never have known the sheer amount of effort that went into that if not for your detailed and captivating explanations. Thank you!

[@monikaa.1044]

Just Amazing . I saw some old japanese woodblock prints and I know that I could spend more than hour to watch every single of them.

[@jeffjeff24]

ok. this video is gonna make me give 5 times more attention and time to look at any piece of art im gonna encounter. i feel like i under estimated "mass prints" and such

[@adambradley4182]

Can't believe I only found your channel a good month after I met you in your workshop! Hopefully I'll pop by again some day.

[@BubblesTheBard]

This man is so endlessly fascinating.

[@StonyRC]

David, you're a supreme educator - pointing out the extraordinary in what was once quite ordinary. I hope to visit your gallery one day. Best wishes from the UK.

[@Karlin_Mana]

Your choices are like Mantra to me. It refreshes my mind listening to you. Thank you. I really look forward to see more of your choices. It fascinates me how there are so much craftsmanship and high skill of art is put into a "free-bee" art piece.

[@EC-rd9ys]

This is great. It's so freeing to be able to sit in front of one piece and just think about it for a while. I actually enjoyed the goofy analyses I had to write for my general art history class in school for that reason. It's hard when you're inundated with so many pieces in one room. Personally, I always feel pressured to give all of them a minute, and that's not enough for any of them.

[@TX_TANK]

I just became one of your patreons. I very much enjoy watching your videos, keep up the great work!!

[@FlashbackArrest]

again, thank you so much. such passion.

[@MatieBOriginals]

Wow! Just wow! I'm in such awe of you, your art, and your stories. I hope I can come to the shop someday :)

[@s_patzz8212]

I have recently and rapidly become a huge fan, and I love the approach of this video; too often in life we don't stop to absorb things in their entirety enough.

[@Colperductions]

David, please do more of the "David's Choice" Series. Love them!!!

[@MuzakFavo]

I didn't "speed walk" through this video! But then again I am of the type who will exasperate my companions when going to a gallery, as I have to a take in every detail, try to understand what I am seeing, and so on. And your detailed video on just one art piece is SO interesting all the way. And your thoughts at the end are the most incredibly moving. THANK YOU!

[@wrenzac]

I am so happy to have stumbled across your videos David, your passion is inspiring. Perhaps one day I will find something I can love as much your love for creating these prints.

[@ThoseWhoDare]

I love your enthusiasm 🙏🏼

[@notsogreatsword1607]

I love this print. Definitely my favorite. It's your fault David. You made me fall in love with this print with your lovely exhibition.

[@NORDBANKENSUGER]

The print is "nice" no question about it. To add to that it gets even nicer and i appreciate it more when learning about how it was made. And sadened for what simple cause it was made and how u tell most of the magazines/prints were just thrown away after being read. Wonderful video as always.

[@AlessioFangano]

Oh wow! One of the best videos to date David! Thank you!!!

[@reddeersleeping]

Wonderful! Thank you David

[@fernandomatosjr.6020]

Seeing and learning from Brazil!!! Thank you Very much!!

[@strategosopsikion8576]

Very well produced! Thanks for all of your work!

[@Drakub]

Absolutely wonderful video, Dave! I'm so happy that I can support you through Patreon. Also, I'm up to story 272 on your astoryaweek.com site and loving it. Keep up the great work!

[@barneyfromblackmesa2454]

They're beautiful to me because of the colors. There's something about the warmth and texture and how it sits in the paper that's so pleasing to me. It's not something that can be recreated with oils, acrylics or watercolor. I suppose it's the pressure of pushing the pigment into the paper that changes the quality of the color. It feels deliberate and purposeful, almost careful. I don't normally look at paintings as something to be handled gently, and I am a painter. But wood block prints make me want to treat them with the patience it took to make them.

[@JapaneseModernist]

that was delightful. Thank you so much.

[@tim47012]

Incredible ! Thanks for sharing!

[@aidahubbard7697]

I am, as you expect, am very very grateful to her, so much pleasure from me and now for so many other people too

[@LCVII]

As he said, I'm also suspicious that this kind of traditional _mokuhanga_ will probably be lost soon, but at least he could engrave part of its beauty in our memories. And hopefully, it won't live on just in our memories, but also by the hands of some skillful and bold artists who, just as Mr. Bull himself in the recent past, will keep the flame on for a little longer.

[@notsogreatsword1607]

I love this series! Still I would love more of these Japanese print exhibitions. I mean this in the same sense as David in the video. Singular prints that are the subject of the entire video.

[@mattb6956]

thank you so much for this video. I have never heard of wood prints until a week ago when I stumbled across your channel. Videos like this are incredibly informative for someone like me that values art and hard work but does not quite understand what goes into this type of work.

[@andrewdobin]

I don't even know what these prints look like. I have just had David's voice playing for 4 hours.

[@omfgacceptmyname]

i appreciate you so much David bull

[@spaceyoyo6721]

A fascinating video ! Thank you very much.

[@TheGaglia]

Gracias por su trabajo! Saludos desde Argentina

[@chico11mbit]

unbelievable piece of work and explained well. thx

[@joaomiguelxs]

You put a smile on my face! Gassho!

[@Lambby]

great video as always, thanks david.

[@powerhamstertreefish]

so wonderful!

[@xKagryx]

That’s a wild print when you break it all down

[@arielvalencia4583]

excellent video, makes us to consider that real Art its here, and very didactic... it should be in the best of teachings for art students... and collectors alike...congrats!!

[@wiseowl820]

I love art so much

[@SourianteOrange]

Thank you!

[@fortknobberdale]

Such a good idea for a video. 👌 Trailblazer

[@TheAlfieobanz]

That was incredibly interesting. Love these vids. Also...I'm going to start using the phrase "front rubbing."

[@windmill1965]

David, thank you for another very interesting video. Besides the various aspects of the print which you emphasized I also noticed the way how the plants are presented: partially beind the sheet with the poetry and partially overlapping that same sheet. There is just too much to notice about this print.

[@soundzwicked]

I'm hooked, this guy is awesome, would love to meet you David, but as a master barber, you would have to let me get creative on the hair before we discuss art!!!

[@aaron2709]

David, this is great! Please talk about an earlier print in your collection (Edo era), like maybe a Kunisada.

[@Karlin_Mana]

Man, this art work always fascinates me. Then the fact taht this was a free-b blows my mind. Where can you get such a high quality stuff, any stuff, for free these days? Society developed but it seems we paid a huge price for that.

[@jimclinefelter3352]

Not all Kuchi-e were stapled. The ones used in the issues of "Kabuki Shinpo" magazine that were published by Kajima Seibei's Genrokukan Studio between 1895 and 1897 were sewn, in traditional Japanese binding practice. These kuchi-e were designed by Utagawa Yoshiiku. The majority of them were folded twice, but at least one was folded into thirds. If I visit Tokyo this year, I will visit Mokuhankan and show these to you and your staff. Kajima Seibei and his brother Seizaburo were primarily photographers. They were friends with kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX and photographer Ogawa Kazumasa, who was one of the founders of "Kokka" magazine. Their circle of friends included Okakura Kazuko and Bostonians like Ernest Fenollosa and William Sturgis Bigelow...men who were concerned about preserving Japanese traditional arts like woodblock printing....

[@realcomments]

To those who disliked: please don't give up on life yet. Things will get better eventually. Seek help and please don't think of suicide.

[@NecromancyBlack]

Theme and shape wise I'm not that interested in that woodprint. But the gradations, embossing and other techniques in it are fantastic! I think this is why I love the modern youkai in your current subscription set. It's all of those techniques with a more modern themes.

[@soundtracks6656]

Hi David, like many other people here and everywhere, Agatha Christie also would be proud of you 😊

[@MaximusToastus]

Love your videos, kind of sad I don't have enough money to support the Patreon though.

[@seseragistudio]

Please don't sweat that ... before we had the Patreon, we heard from people "I feel guilty that I'm not contributing ..." Now, some of them can, but we're certainly not expecting everybody to ... so don't worry, just enjoy the videos!

[@CheezeToastPlz]

I think seeing exactly how much work goes into the prints by showing off the boards alongside them would really make people stop and admire.

[@CheezeToastPlz]

Like you mentioned in the video, I think a lot of people see pictures and not intensely intricate sculptures.

[@TreasureTrain]

I hope I love something someday as much as you love these prints

[@fortknobberdale]

Man, this video is my favorite! Watched it so many times just to understand the work put into creating such a thing.... and of course, David's enthusiasm to guide said understanding. I am wondering though, practically, that if I was out and about, looking at flea markets and such. Would I be able to tell if I found a woodblock print, or just a mechanicly printed piece? I know David has talked about the rubbing marks, on the back of a print, but I'm not sure I would be able to tell so easily. I am, after all, untrained in these matters. Thanks for all you do, Mokuhankan!

[@stndsure7275]

I would suggest that you use the word "original" for historic prints from the time period and "authentic" prints from recarved modern blocks.

[@msmcrd]

David. A few years ago the world class violin player Joshua Bell , disguised as a street performer, played in a metro station in Washington DC for a length of time. He actually played pieces beyond the reach of many musicians. Hundreds of people walked by. Only a couple of people stopped to listen to his music....

[@seseragistudio]

Yes, I remember reading this at the time. But I also remember thinking that it wasn't really a fair test - they did it during the morning rush hour. I suspect there were many people thinking to themselves, "Wow, that sounds good!", but who couldn't stop and listen, making themselves late for work ... I think the results would have been _very_ different if they had done it at the other end of the day!

[@davel3500]

Brilliant

[@deeplyseated7427]

He seems so smooth and peaceful, but I'll bet you don't wanna mess up a print, then he will change.

[@notsogreatsword1607]

As always Davids Choice is the best choice! Do you think Mokuhankan will ever offer a reprodruction of this print? It is so beautiful I would love to have a print of this carved by your hand David.

[@nobody-wd9ge]

I hope someday I get a chance to own one of your print I extremely love them..

[@rapidachris]

Thank you

[@Frisenette]

What an incredible piece! Would it be possible to translate the poem? Someone should do a print of you.

[@seseragistudio]

Beyond picking out a character here and there, have no idea what it says; that sort of work is for specialists ... perhaps somebody will come out of the woodwork and translate it for us!

[@xamishia]

😍🤩Top notch!

[@shadowsteve]

Hi David, thanks for the video and what an amazing print! Out of interest, during the front rubbing technique, does this affect the surrounding colours which have already been printed onto the paper?

[@seseragistudio]

No; because there is no wood below those zones, the baren just skims across the surface with no effect ...

[@timandrenata]

Truly a masterpiece! You talk a lot about the gradation printing done on this piece. I have noticed these beautiful gradations in many prints and was wondering if you have any demonstration of creating that effect because I just don't understand how it is done.

[@seseragistudio]

Lots of our videos highlight gradation printing; here are just two of them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmikmXahjN2pb9k and kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX6zfqGYpMyZhZI

[@timandrenata]

@@seseragistudio Thank you so much! The second video was especially helpful. The question also has come to my mind if after a while the paint might build up in between the raised surfaces and cause a patina - especially on those very fine cuts? Is there ever a need to clean the blocks after extensive printing?

[@gnoblar5556]

what is that little sculpt you have there? Looks like the Mame Moyashi! fantastic video!

[@seseragistudio]

You noticed! It is indeed a Mame Moyashi (matcha version). Mr. Lam was here the other day and left me one as a present ... facebook.com/mamemoyashishacho/

[@clairerogerson2153]

I hope to be as passionate about something as he is about his career/hobby of printing.

[@FFede-ji9lv]

The calligraphy in 6:37 is from Ono no Michikaze: kknews.cc/zh-mo/culture/pxypqqe.html

[@robertocollo2890]

It would be nice to have a translation of that poetry...

[@MrWhiteRabbitt]

Hi David, At 13:03 you say that the designer didn't draw what we see exactly the way we see it and you point this out in other videos too. Are there known un-carved, un-printed designs that survived through time or are they thrown away once the blocks are carved for the first time? I'm curious to see the difference between the designer's vision, carver's vision and printer's vision all in one piece, if that's even possible. Thanks!

[@seseragistudio]

They weren't 'thrown away' ... they were destroyed in the carving process (glued on the wood, and then carved ...). But what we do have - here and there in museum collections - are designs that _didn't_ get made. Both the British Museum and the V&A in London have such items in their collections. The sheets as known as 'hanshita' (block copy). Here's a link to some such hanshita in the collection of the British Museum: www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/search.aspx?searchText=Kankyo+hyakurankai One day ... who knows ... maybe we could work together with them to finally get the set into production!

[@MrWhiteRabbitt]

Ah this makes a lot of sense. There's something beautiful about the original design being destroyed to make the block and getting "lost forever" as it is assimilated by the carver who puts his own touch as well. Thank you for the link, most of those look incredible. I suppose every designer / artist had their own idea about how much detail to put in and I'm sure deadlines played a role as well. I'm surprised by how much detail goes into the human bodies of this collection; faces, hairs and hands. Thank you for taking the time to reply, I truly appreciate it. I do hope you get your hands on one some of those days and we get to watch you carve it! Great videos, great people, thank you and keep it going! I'm sure I will have more questions soon :) Have a great day!

[@JD-nf5ye]

You look slightly like Mark Hammill in your thumbnail :P