Japanese Woodblock Print Search
124 points
9 hours ago
| 10 comments
| ukiyo-e.org
| HN
jeresig
8 hours ago
[-]
Thank you for sharing my site! I built this a number of years ago as I was starting to learn about Japanese prints. I wanted a single place where I could find them across all of the various museums and universities that hold them. I use computer vision analysis to cluster prints together (using TinEye). A bunch more technical details from the last time this was posted: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18344979

I’m working on a new site now that’s focused on prints that are for sale from dealers and auctions. Much more technically complex as it needs to be continuously updated. Hope to have a public beta soon!

reply
chickensong
2 hours ago
[-]
Thank you for creating such a wonderful site! Woodblock printing is one of my favorite art forms.

My grandparents visited Japan long ago and gifted me two wooden boxes, one with this print on the lid: https://ukiyo-e.org/image/aic/99027_512658 and the other with https://ukiyo-e.org/image/honolulu/8277. They're secret boxes with no hinges or hardware, but if you press on certain locations in the correct order, sections will slide and the lid unlocks and can be opened.

Is there a way to stay informed of when your new print site launches?

reply
jeresig
48 minutes ago
[-]
Oh that's very cool! I have a mailing list signup on the ukiyo-e.org home page, I'll send out a message there once it's ready for testing! I've posted some screenshots on Reddit that show some of the price comparison features: https://www.reddit.com/r/ukiyoe/comments/1p6c4lb/comment/nqp... https://www.reddit.com/r/ukiyoe/comments/1pjw8br/comment/nti...
reply
masswerk
7 hours ago
[-]
Thank you for your work, it's an invaluable resource!
reply
iddan
5 hours ago
[-]
That is so cool!!! Thank you for putting in the effort
reply
PacificSpecific
8 hours ago
[-]
Wow 2 ukiyo-e threads in 24 hours. This is really cool.

I posted that there was a museum in kurashiki in the other thread but neglected to post a link. For anyone interested here it is https://ukiyo-e-kurashiki.jp/?lang=en

reply
dang
7 hours ago
[-]
I was going to ask what the other thread was but you made it easy!

The Rediscovery of 103 Hokusai Lost Sketches (2021) - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47030387 - Feb 2026 (8 comments)

reply
PacificSpecific
7 hours ago
[-]
Ah I should have posted the link. Glad you were able to find it and thanks for digging it up!
reply
miduil
3 hours ago
[-]
Wow, that's wonderful. There is a store that sells original Woodblock prints in Vienna, close to the Opera. Every time I'm passing by I take a few moments to look and reflect on those prints, it's great recognizing some on this website now.
reply
kehvyn
33 minutes ago
[-]
I know exactly which store you're talking about, and I couldn't resist going in the one time I was in Vienna. It's a great store.
reply
S0und
3 hours ago
[-]
If you're interested in the topic someone is streaming the whole process: https://www.twitch.tv/japaneseprintmaking
reply
zimpenfish
2 hours ago
[-]
Would highly recommend Dave Bull's YouTube channel as well - https://youtube.com/@seseragistudio
reply
nvalis
1 hour ago
[-]
I took a class at his workshop in Tokyo and highly recommend the experience. So much thought and detail goes into preparing the wood blocks and even into "just" printing them.
reply
abetusk
8 hours ago
[-]
This is pretty amazing.

Surprisingly [0]:

> Ukiyo-e.org was created by John Resig ...

[0] https://ukiyo-e.org/about

reply
jonah
6 hours ago
[-]
reply
dang
7 hours ago
[-]
One past thread:

Japanese Woodblock Print Search - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18344979 - Oct 2018 (29 comments)

(Reposts are fine after a year or so; links to past threads are just to satisfy extra-curious readers)

reply
Duanemclemore
4 hours ago
[-]
Bookmarked for constant reference. As a designer, Japanese printmaking is a constant source of inspiration, and the effort that went into putting this together is pretty astounding. Thank you to the author for the hard work, and to the OP for surfacing it!
reply
zactato
8 hours ago
[-]
Pretty sure this was made by John Resig, the creator of jQuery.

I used to be friends with him back in the day and he described wanting to do something like this. He was/is a passionate dude.

reply
andeee23
5 hours ago
[-]
kawase hasui is hands down the best to ever do it

he does trees and foliage in s very special way

reply
kehvyn
35 minutes ago
[-]
A fellow Shin Hanga-era fan! There are dozens of us!

Hasui is excellent, but Shiro Kasamatsu is my undisputed favorite. Something about the way he does buildings, and the dramatic colors, is exactly aimed at me.

reply
chickensong
2 hours ago
[-]
No argument there.

For fans of California and the Bay Area, Tom Killion is a local hero as well.

reply
keiferski
3 hours ago
[-]
Agreed, he is my favorite as well. There is something so cinematic about every one of his images.
reply
thrownaway561
2 hours ago
[-]
For those that don't know, this site was made by John Resig, yes, the same dude that invented jQuery.
reply