This Is 'Star Wars' as Reinterpreted by Japanese Woodblock Printing Artisans
Or, the Chronicles of Darth Vader in Edo Period Japan.
Traditionally used to depict folk tales, landscapes, sumo wrestlers and kabuki actors of the time, the distinctive century Japanese art form of ukiyo-e woodblock printing of the 17th through 19th centuries sees a revival in the unlikeliest form — that of the Star Wars poster. Called the “Rhythm Force” project, the initiative is hosted on Japanese crowdfunding website Makuake, and enlists the talents of Japan’s woodblock printing artisans in carving out three compositions from the Star Wars universe. First sculpted painstakingly by hand in relief by a wood sculptor – with a new block having to be cut for each color applied — paints are applied to the blocks before being printed onto Japanese paper for a limited run of 200 prints per composition. Available for just over $400 USD, watch the printing process in the video below and click here for the crowdfunding page.
