Developing a systematic approach to determine the sequence of impressions of Japanese woodblock prints: the case of Hokusai’s ‘Red Fuji’

Ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock prints were mass-produced in the Edo Period and early impressions of a given print are generally of higher quality and more sought after by connoisseurs than late impressions. The present publication presents an innovative approach that combines the classical method of examining line quality with a systematic study of colourants. This approach was used to compare an impression of Hokusai’s iconic ‘Red Fuji’ with its rare variant, ‘Pink Fuji’. Woodblock wear and printing effects were studied using high resolution photographs and the colourants were characterised using non-destructive methods. Signs of greater woodblock wear were identified in ‘Red Fuji’ compared to ‘Pink Fuji’ and there were indications that much more thought had been given to the selection and application of the colourants in ‘Pink Fuji’. This showed that ‘Pink Fuji’ was printed before ‘Red Fuji’ and is possibly a first edition. The approach developed here represents a novel way of studying Japanese woodblock prints and can be used to determine the sequence of impressions of other prints.