05 Nov, 2025
As an official event of World Wood Day 2025, the International Woodblock Print Co-Creation Exhibition was held at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts. This special exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Japan Art Association to commemorate Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, brought together a remarkable collection of woodblock prints by artists from around the world, creating a vibrant platform for cross-cultural dialogue through the art of wood.
Featured works came from Cambodia, Brazil, Mauritius, China, Australia, and Japan, each expressing themes rooted in nature, culture, and storytelling. From tranquil monochrome pieces to vividly colored scenes, the exhibition showcases a wide variety of styles. Visitors can explore contemporary interpretations of traditional Japanese ukiyo-e, woodblock adaptations of architectural sketches by Kengo Kuma, and illustrated scrolls inspired by global folktales such as The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter and The Little Match Girl.
Guiding viewers through the exhibition is Ms. Yukiko Takahashi, President of the Japan Wood Culture Society and head of Takahashi Kobo. Recognized as a holder of Selected Conservation Techniques by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, she is a leading expert in traditional woodblock printing. Ms. Takahashi also serves as a lecturer on Edo-period culture at Shukutoku University, a member of the Bunkyo Traditional Crafts Association, and the director of the Mitsukoshi Department Store Printmaking Class.
With her deep knowledge, gentle narration, and cultural insight, Ms. Takahashi invites you to discover the richness of global wood culture and the timeless beauty of woodblock art in this exceptional video presentation.