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Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on August 30, 2012.

Ukiyo-e Heroes: Back to the Source

Update #18 · Aug 20, 2012 · 20 comments

We can't believe it – only 10 days remain on our Kickstarter campaign. Because of you, we've shattered all of our goals, and are now planning our next big move for Ukiyo-e Heroes. Both Dave and I want to push our technique to the next level, and we want to take you along with us –  to Japan!  

Please take a moment to share your interest in this project with friends. With the help of new backers, we'll keep climbing to the end. In return, we want to share our journey through art and history with you.

Here is a sample of topics we're considering for a series of mini-documentaries about our process:

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Comments

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      Creator Barbara Mason on August 22, 2012

      I can hardly wait to see more
      Barbara

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      Creator Dave MacPhail on August 21, 2012

      I love these videos, would definetly love to see some more in and around Japan especially on the other artists. I really love the video with Dave explaining his craft and how things work, would be great to see more of these if possible and as much as id love to see it all in HD, a bluray release would cause us european folks issues with region locking unless you find a way ot make them region free (most players here will play dvd of any region now). Anways, i love this project, cant wait to get my first woodblock print and will be buying the whole set (eventually) when funds allow.

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      Creator Patounet on August 21, 2012

      Great development of your projects ! I'm really looking forward to seeing and learning more about old woodblocks and new modern ukiyo-e artists !

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      Creator Jed Henry on August 20, 2012

      Jason Redomond – I probably did eat most of that ice cream! But now I just use it as my water basin, for rinsing brushes while I paint. I'm cheap (economical?) like that. :)

      Jed

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      Creator Adam on August 20, 2012

      **It's amazing to see this new...

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      Creator Adam on August 20, 2012

      Just pledged for Fox moon - think this is documentary idea is awesome as well!

      It amazing to this new spin on traditional ukiyo-e --- especially if it helps preserve and reinvigorate the art. Great work guys!!

      Be great to hear more about some of your inspirations --- both from old and modern ukiyo-e artists :)

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      Creator Jason Redmond on August 20, 2012

      I just want to know if you ate that whole carton of ice cream...

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      Creator Robin Farley on August 20, 2012

      Love this idea. I have been really interested in the details of this art project and the documentary is a great way to keep us all connected and learning new things. Thanks for being so awesome!

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      Creator Alia Thabit on August 20, 2012

      SO exciting!

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      Creator Jed Henry on August 20, 2012

      Kenneth,

      We're planning to film this whole project in spring on 2013. That'll give us time to line up interviews, and plan enough material for a dense, informative mini-doc series.

      If I could, I'd go in autumn to visit those expos. Unfortunately, we'll have sold all of our merchandise! It will take me until spring to get more stuff lined up, an finances all in order.

      Thanks for all the tips. I'll keep my eyes on those expos!

      Jed

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      Creator Kenneth Muehleisen on August 20, 2012

      I think the mini-documentaries are a very good idea. How about showing these videos at museum exhibtions of ukiyo-e? I've seen a number of exhibitions showing a video of woodblock printmaking by the Adachi Institute, but I'm sure your video would certainly draw more interest. Might even lead to your designs being shown as part of a major exhibition.

      Do you have a timeline when you plan to do the new design with Dave and meet all the people and visit the places? The Tokyo Game Show is held in autumn, as is the CWAJ Print Show where you would be able to meet many contemporary printmakers.

      Since Yoshitoshi is a major inspiration for you, there's a retrospective of him at the Ota Memorial Museum of Art in Tokyo this October and November, but that would probably be too short-term for you. It's always great to see prints in person, but if you really want to hold original prints in your hand and see the details without framing glass between your eyes and the print, the best option is to visit dealers of which there are many in the Kanda district.

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      Creator Robbie Basford on August 20, 2012

      I would love to see a bit more about the gaming culture in Japan or the other artists work! I think this would tie in well with your themes. Love your work and can't wait to get my prints and see more of your work!

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      Creator Maria Alarcon on August 20, 2012

      I like all your ideas for videos,if you don't mind I could add one or two:You could visit actual ukiyo-e publishing companies such as Watanabe (that specializes on shin hanga) and Uchida.You could even visit the Watanabe print shop in Tokyo.
      If you put all the videos on a DVD in the end,you could send a free copy of the DVD to each one of the backers,that would be awesome!
      Keep going with this very interesting project! Can't wait to have the print on my hands!

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      Creator Jed Henry on August 20, 2012

      Lmar, good point! We'll brainstorm all kinds of crazy ideas, and see what's possible. :)

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      Creator Lmar on August 20, 2012

      Love this idea. Are you guys considering using Dave's connections at NHK as a foot in the door to do this as a co-production with them? Seems like having that kind of backing would allow you to more easily access those "pie in the sky" game designers.

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      Creator Alvin Helms on August 20, 2012

      If you put all those mini-documentaries together on a DVD, that would make a nice side reward -- and it would be fun to show them in my Japanese class, too.

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      Creator Pedro Lara Salazar on August 20, 2012

      The moment you show Rickshaw Cart to Shugeru Miyamoto and seen his eyes flash when he recognize the amazing ukio e print style and his characters on it, that will be priceless and I cant wait for that to happen, and will happen I know.

      You are living and dream, enjoy it my friend.

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      Creator Maria Photinakis on August 20, 2012

      Wonderful idea - this entire project is such an inspiration. It would be great to learn about how this all came together.

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      Creator Carl Hergils on August 20, 2012

      I very much like this direction. Go for it, man!

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      Creator Mikhail on August 20, 2012

      I got to say I love the idea. Went once to Tokyo and I miss it so much already. Wish I could go with you guys lol. Defintely liking the idea...I would also like to thank Dave for the explaining of the process in the days of old! Super interesting. Always nice to hear someone talk about their passion. =)
      Small ps: Please don't make a DVD but BLU-RAY version ^^" Long live HD quality!

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