David's Choice - Episode #2

This is the next in the ongoing series of short videos of Tokyo-based woodblock printmaker David Bull introducing various things that he finds interesting in the world of traditional Japanese woodblock prints.

Episode #2 tries (fails?) to answer the question asked by a great many of the visitors to Dave's Mokuhankan shop in Asakusa, Tokyo ... "Are these prints originals?"

For more information on Dave's work, please visit one of the websites:

The print just finished by Ayumi-san and shown in the video is here:

[TheMasterplanXx]

I started off watching because of your relaxing voice but now I'm genuinely interested in woodblock printing :))))

[nitrogenfume]

"Goodnight for now."
He knows.

[pb]

David I'm always so impressed with your videos, insight and expertise. Thank you for taking the time to make them, they bring me much joy.

[Radditz]

The crux of originality on these kinds of prints reminds me of the ship paradox:
If you have a ship made out of 100 wooden boards. Say that every day you replace one board with a new one, perhaps because of wear and tear, the reason isn't of much importance. After 100 days, every board has been replaced with a new one, but you still have a ship.
Is the ship with replaced boards the original ship? Is it new one? If it is not the original ship, at which point does it become a non-original ship?

Take those old 100 boards of wood that the ship used to be made of, and make an identical ship with them. Is that ship a new ship? Or is it the original?

Regardless a very interesting video!

[aZtIgHeNn]

4:08 David your glasses is in your front pocket -_-

[hombretropical]

I could literally listen to you all day.

[delboykinobi]

Still rocking this as my top asmr video in June 2022

[gordonclaydon]

This has been effectively & efficiently putting me to sleep for a good few years now. Cheers Dave I owe you

[Leiraen]

These videos have a calming effect on me, and at the same time I'm very intrigued by the content. Thanks for making them. :).

[sammaddison]

Before I came across your channel I had no knowledge of wood block prints. After a few weeks, and many video's, I find your insight and passion on the subject entirely enchanting.

Thank you for these video's.

[Mrblobbybobby]

Seems to me all you need to say is the date the design was created, blocks were carved, and print was made (for example, 1930/1970/1970)
The gaps between the dates says a lot, for example the difference between 1930/1930/2017 and 1930/2017/2017 is apparent :)

[Zades]

These videos are wonderful, you are an absolute treasure Mr. Bull!

[JapaneseModernist]

Thank you so much, David. You've helped so many people understand and appreciate these works.

[darieirad]

“we don’t make fakes, just happy little reproductions”

[mitchelson]

Great Video!
One could possibly have two categories of "originality": Blocks and Printing
For example,

Blocks: Original 1870
Printing: 1870

Blocks: Original 1870
Printing: 1950

Blocks: Refurbished Original 1930
Printing : 2017

Blocks: Reproduction 2016 (of 1870)
Printing: 2017

Blocks: Original 2017
Printing: 2017

The terminology for Refurbished Blocks could probably be changed, maybe Augmented would be more fitting? Restored?

[HamStrokers-Ejacula]

You have the beard of a majestic, wizened sorcerer. I hope my beard can one day match yours.

[TommyJay]

For a few months now, it has become a treat to brew some tea and relax in front of my computer with one of your videos playing. My job is moving me to Okinawa in early 2019, so be sure that I'll be making a trip to mainland to visit your shop in person shortly after =)

[jamescash]

When I feel like a Japanese wood block printing video, I always choose dave bull. Thank you

[abee]

Love your calm voice and your passion x

[brandonbentley]

I had a friend in college from Japan. His family were print designers and makers. He used to go on for hours about the intricacies that go into printing.