Technical Commentary

Resize and position this window, and keep it open -- it updates when you click each Technical Commentary link.

TREE TRUNK LINES: What is noticed is that wear and tear has taken its toll. There has been some minor recutting of the original key block. What is more evident, however, is the surface treatment of the tree trunks. Print "A" has a "speckled" surface while prints "B" and "C" have none. Then print "D" shows up with the "speckled" surface again. Reuse on "D" of the "speckled" color block cut for "A"? Looks like it. There is definitely wear and tear of the key block black markings and outline of the tree trunks. The "kento" of the brown tree trunk area block on print "D" is either poorly positioned or the printer flubbed the printing of the brown block. Another possible explanation is that the brown block of print "A" was reused, and over the years had dried out sufficiently to cause shrinkage of the block, ergo, misalignment.

Contributed by ukiyo-e scholar Philip H. Roach, Jr., moonlighting/slumming here for the noble but doomed purpose of helping our members combat the Attention Deficit from which we Shin Hanga lightweights apparently suffer.

Close this window to return to the Case Study.



Except as noted, the original content herein is the property of
The Shin Hanga Skull & Bones Society (TM).
Copyright © 1999-2004. All rights reserved.

Comments?