

Utagawa Kunimaru (1793–1829)
Flowers
1827
fan print, 29,2 × 22,2 cm
The year 2025 kicks off with an exciting event: you are cordially invited to join us on Saturday February 22 for the event ‘Shapes and sizes: production and materiality of Japanese prints’.
Every Japanese art enthusiast is familiar with ukiyo-e, brightly coloured woodblock printed images of bombastic actors, beautiful women and vibrant landscapes. Although their subject matter often takes the spotlight, not as much attention has been given to the more logistical aspects of the woodblock publishing industry. Tons of wood and paper were needed to meet the continuous demand for pretty pictures of famous icons, illustrated books, decorated fans, children's toys, packaging, erotic images to spice things up in the bedroom, just to name a few. The wide range of uses for prints, together with the creative ways printmakers held the public's attention while also economizing on their materials led to a great variety in the forms of prints. With this event, we hope to shed some light on the material aspects of ukiyo-e.

We will begin with a visit to the Japan Museum SieboldHuis exhibition ‘Shapes and Sizes. The many forms of Japanese prints’. After the museum visit, we head to the lecture venue Scheltema, where guest curators Chris Uhlenbeck and Jim Dwinger will elaborate on the contents, followed by an exhibition analysis by Matthi Forrer. After the lunch break we take a deep dive into the subject matter with lectures by Julie Nelson Davis and Daan Kok.
The event will be followed by (belated) celebratory New Year's drinks. Members who did not sign up for the main event are still welcome to join us for a chat!
- The event is 15 euros for members (coffee and lunch included) and 25 euros for non-members. You can sign up by using the form at the bottom of the page (make sure to log in first!).

Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III, 1786–1865)
The Eight Dog Heroes of Satomi
circa 1847–1850
ōban octaptych, 50 × 150 cm
collection Pietro Gobbi
Programme
Japan Museum SieboldHuis, Rapenburg 19
- 10:00-11:00 collective visit to the Japan Museum SieboldHuis exhibition 'Shapes and Sizes'
Scheltema, Marktsteeg 1
- 11:30-11:45 Coffee and tea
- 11:45-12:00 Chris Uhlenbeck - Shapes and Sizes: why does it matter?
- 12:00-12:15 Jim Dwinger - Shapes and Sizes: new perspectives on woodblock prints
- 12:15-12:30 Matthi Forrer - exhibition assessment
- 12:30-13:45 lunch at Scheltema
- 13:45-14:30 Daan Kok - Printing cool accessories for the hot season: uchiwa fans
- 14:45-15:30 Julie Nelson Davis - *title forthcoming*
- 15:45-16:30 discussion
- 16:30-18:00 drinks