Kasane Graphica

Ukiyoe is a traditional culture that Japan is proud of. Ukiyoe dynamically conveys the glamorous culture
of the Edo period and the turbulent Meiji period to the present day. Ukiyoe are also valuable as historical documents,
as they provide insight into the true circumstances of historical events in Japan,
as well as now-lost Kabuki performances. In addition, the bold compositions drawn
by masters of the era such as Kuniyoshi Utagawa and Yoshitoshi Tsukioka have
something in common with modern animation.

The Asai Collection has preserved the vivid colors and wonderful textures
of the vast number of Ukiyoe arts collected by Yusuke Asai, the founder of the Asai Collection,
since around 1897.
In addition, in light of the current situation where the number of people interested
in Japanese culture is greatly increasing around the world, we will continue our activities to
introduce Japanese Ukiyoe to the world.
In order to continue our activities for the preservation of Ukiyoe culture and the dissemination
of Japanese culture both domestically and internationally, we have decided to sell "Kasane Graphica,"
a made-to-order product that reproduces Ukiyoe prints at a workshop in Kyoto with extremely high technology.

At the time when Ukiyoe was produced, people were fascinated by its bold and beautiful colors.
The Asai Collection preserves the colors of the time when they were collected during
the Meiji era (1868-1912) almost as they were, and when you look at the Ukiyoe,
you can feel the enthusiasm of the people of that time.
These wonderful Ukiyoe prints from the Edo and Meiji periods have been reproduced
in their original colors and textures by craftsmen known as "modern print master"
at the traditional Kyoto workshop "Sun-M Color".

When we think of reproductions, we usually think of realistic "paintings" created
by the meticulous brushwork of skilled artisans. On the other hand,
the most advanced digital technology and advanced printing methods have been used to
create reproductions that are as close to the real thing as possible.
Sun M Color (Kyoto City), which has an established reputation in fine art printing,
has been reproducing many cultural assets and works of art, such as the national treasure
"Landscapes of the Four Seasons, Sun, Moon, and Water" owned by the Kongoji Temple
in Amanoyama (Osaka Prefecture), using its unique technology called "Kasane Graphica.
The company's latest technology has been used to reproduce in full size the precious
Ukiyoe prints owned by the Asai Collection.

The Ukiyoe prints in the Asai Collection, painted and created during the Edo and Meiji periods,
have not only been preserved in their original vivid colors, but also show the rise and fall of the paints
used in those days and the patterns applied in the colors.
Kasane Graphica" reproduces not only the original colors, but also the rise, fall,
and shade of the paint used in Ukiyoe at that time.
With "Kasane Graphica," not only are the colors the same as the real thing,
but also the rise and fall of paint, shading, and shadows of Ukiyo-e paintings of the time
are reproduced as they were.
With "Kasane Graphica," three-dimensional information is created from the image data
of the work by estimating the rise and fall of the paint and the brush strokes. Based
on this information, inks are layered to reproduce the rise of the paint and the texture
of the original painting. By combining digital technology with the handiwork that
artisans have cultivated over the years, we have completed a work that conveys
the atmosphere of the time when the ukiyo-e was drawn.

We hope that you will support the Asai Collection's activities for the preservation and development of Ukiyoe culture, which is the pride of Japan, by purchasing "Kasane Graphica," which is an excellent reproduction of Ukiyoe of the time.

Prepared carefully selected Japanese paper with the taste of the late Edo period

Cool Art Tokyo's Ukiyoe Kasane Graphica are made by faithfully reproducing the original textures of the Edo and Meiji era Ukiyoe woodblock prints owned by the Asai Collection.We are also particular about the washi used.Echizen Washi ("Torinoko Paper")is one of the finest washi in Japan. Echizen Washi  was carefully combed for use in the Asai Collection.Each Ukiyoe reproduced by Kasane Graphica is made by Echizen Washi craftsmen, who take great care in making each piece of paper. Only the highest quality washi is used, and the texture and feel are the same as those of Ukiyoe prints from the Edo and Meiji periods.

Produced in the Art studio in Kyoto
with extremely high technology

Cool Art Tokyo's reproductions of Ukiyoe are produced by Sun M Color, a studio in Kyoto that has extremely high skills in art reproduction and restoration.
Sun M Color has been reproducing paintings and art works for various temples, shrines, and museums in Kyoto and other cities, and has very high skills in the production and reproduction of art works.
Sun M Color has recently started to reproduce Ukiyoe arts from the Edo and Meiji periods owned by the Asai Collection.
The challenge was how to reproduce the deep blue, jet black, vivid colors, and eye-catching red of the Meiji era.
After six months of trial and error, we succeeded in reproducing the colors as they were in the late Edo and early Meiji periods as Kasane Graphica.
We have succeeded in reproducing the colors as they were in the late Edo period and early Meiji period by using advanced technology and time-consuming manual work.

In San M Color (Kyoto City) with a reputation for art printing,
Using the unique technology called "Kasane Graphica",
So far, such as the National Treasure "Sunnai Shikiyama Water Lamination
" held by Tenno Yamagongji (Osaka Prefecture), etc.
We have been working with many cultural assets and workpieces.
Using the company's latest technology, the valuable Ukiyo-e
I reproduced with the original size.

Edo period, drawn and created in the Meiji era,
The Ukiyo-e-shooting picture held by the Asai Collection remains a vivid shade at that time
Not only is saved, but also the paintings used at that time
You can also check the patterned patterns.

In "Kasane Graphica", of course, the same color of the same color,
There is also a reproduction of paintings and shades, shadows, etc.

In "Kasane Graphica",
From the image data of works
Guess brush and create three-dimensional information. Stacking ink from the information,
Reproduce to the texture of the paintings and the texture of the original image.
By fusing the business that the craftsman has cultivated for many years,
We completed the works that are transmitted to the feeling of air where the Ukiyo-e was drawn.

In order to make one point with a time and effort,
We have made orders and order production, but the Ukiyo-e's revealed
Purchase "Kasane Graphica" by all means, and the Asai Collection,
Activities for preservation and development of Ukiyo-e-cultural culture boasts Japan
If you support you.

The specific process of "Kasane Graphica" is as follows.

• 1 Multi-stage scanning with a gigapixel art scanner

  Digital archiving is carried out using a large scanner with ultra-high resolution. This digitalization is so detailed that the fibers of the Japanese paper on which the Ukiyoe is drawn can be seen, and the color management is so accurate that there is almost no difference in color, thus preserving all the charm of the work.

• 2 Creation of three-dimensional information

  Kasane Graphica reproduces not only the original colors, but also the rise, fall, and shade of the Ukiyoe paints of the time.
  From the image data of the work, which has been scanned in detail for several times, the rise and fall of the paint and the brush strokes are inferred, and three-dimensional information is created.

• 3 Finishing of products by dedicated craftsmanship
  

  We take the time and effort to produce each piece one by one, reproducing even the texture and unevenness of the work. By combining digital technology with the handiwork that artisans have cultivated over the years, we have created a work that conveys the atmosphere of the time when the ukiyo-e was drawn.