《Characteristics》
Ukiyo-e (pictures of everyday life in the Edo period (17-19c)) woodblock print which made excellent use of materials and techniques unique to Japan was very popular among ordinary people in the Edo period. Although the Ukiyo-e woodblock print is also known as Edo block print, it doesn't mean that the woodblock print originated in Edo.
For most artists including great painters who produced numerous art works, Kyoto was the area for their work.
Japan's feudal government was relocated to Edo by Tokugawa Ieyasu in the early 17th century and Edo became a base for many people. However, Kyoto is said to have remained as the roots for Japanese culture and art.
The renowned publications of Kyoto woodblock print contain Saga Books (Saga-bon) by Hon'ami Koetsu, printed with Kyo-Hanga techniques. Kyo-Hanga has left great art works including design books.
Techniques unique to Kyo-Hanga such as whiting print and mica print have developed matched with climate of Kyoto along with other local traditional crafts and arts.
With these techniques, woodblock print using Iwa-Enogu (paints made of minerals) has developed recently.
Traditional woodblock print is produced by collaborative work of a painter, a carver and a printer. Each of them thoroughly masters his art and the unification of their art produces excellent works.

[Traditional Craft of Kyoto]
Source: Kyoto Block Print Publication Cooperative Association, Kyoto Traditional Craft Council
Translation: Marie Mine, reviewed by Tomoko Yamamoto