JASON FUJIWARA MOKUHANGA ARTIST
ABOUT
Mokuhanga (moku (木) means wood; Hanga (版画) means print. Literally woodblock print.) is a traditional Japanese water-based woodblock printing technique, dating as far back as the 8th century and peaking in the 18th and 19th century. Perhaps the most widely known mokuhanga print is “The Great Wave” by Hokusai as part of his views of Mt. Fuji series. Read more
Jason Fujiwara explores notions of hybridization through his own Japanese and Australian cultural heritage. He is part of both cultures and creates an alternative or hybrid universe which operates according to its own logic, an “in-between” world or space of his two cultures, where East meets West.
He documents his travels through Japan and Australia through photography and then recreate the landscapes as drawings and mokuhanga prints. Similar to a visual diary. He often asks himself “Is identity influenced by places?”
Landscape is a personal exploration of self discovery, documenting where he's been and what he's seen. He is exploring notions of identity through landscape.
Fujiwara is exploring identity through multiple editioning, multiple print techniques and layering of impressions - a layering of identity and culture with multiple angles and meanings. Similar to a person's identity, there are many layers and personalities.
Modern digital techniques allow him to show you an aspect of an image while traditional Japanese mokuhanga techniques allow him to show another aspect of the same image, allowing him to combine new and old techniques.
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email: jasonfujiwara at gmail.com
Art Hikes
What is Art Hikes?
Art Hikes is an event I created where I have the opportunity to share my passion for hiking and art with you. I think it’s SO important to prioritise your mental and physical health, and both can be done so easily by heading out into nature for a short hike! For me, hiking and art go hand-in-hand. I go hiking which inspires my artistic practice; and creating art is food for my soul; I hope I can share that experience with you, and connect with Japan. I will guide you through a beautiful part of Japan, while also giving you advice on how to draw. You will receive all of the drawing materials, papers, clipboard etc. We will take regular short and long breaks to sketch.
I host monthly 2-day Art Hikes & mokuhanga workshops in central Tokyo at Schreck House.
Read more here.
You will:
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Create a drawing with up to four colours.
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Learn how to carve safely with various carving tools.
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Learn how to apply ink to the block using mokuhanga brushes.
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Learn how to press Japanese washi paper onto the wood block using a baren.
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Create an original mokuhanga print.
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Price includes all carving and printing materials.
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¥11,000/ day
Schedule – Day 1:
Meet at 10am, go to local park (location TBA), draw until 11:30am;
12-1pm lunch break;
1-2:30pm finish drawing, transfer design to wood blocks;
2:30 ~ start carving until 6pm.
Schedule – Day 2:
10-12pm Finish carving;
12-1pm lunch break;
1pm ~ Printing until 5pm.
Maximum 6 people.
To reserve your spot, email me here; or pre-register for the next workshop here.
Listen to my interview with Andre Zadorozny of The Unfinished Print podcast. This interview took place in Echizen, Japan during the fifth International Mokuhanga Conference in April 2024.
Jason Fujiwara
From Melbourne, Australia. Lives and works in Tokyo, Japan.
@jaseinjapan
About
Education:
2025 Karuizawa Mokuhanga School (in-person) residency, Japan
2024 International Mokuhanga Conference, Fukui, Japan
2021 Karuizawa Mokuhanga School Online Fundamentals course
2011 RMIT University: BA - Arts (Fine Arts) - Printmaking, Melbourne, Australia
Selected Exhibitions:
2025 Audio Visual/ Visual Audio, Gallery Conceal, Tokyo, Japan
2025 The Unfinished Print: Five Years of Talking Mokuhanga, Mark Christopher Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2025 Awagami International Mini Print Exhibition, Inbe Art Space, Yoshinogawa, Japan.
2025 The BIG Print Exhibition, Firestation Print Studio,
Melbourne, Australia
2024-2025 Encounters in Echizen: Art Hikes 2024 International Mokuhanga Print Exchange, MBmore Gallery, Beitou Lai’s Ancestral House, Taipei, Taiwan
2024 Year End Group Show 2024, Launch Pad Gallery
Yokohama, Japan
2024 2024 Juried International Mokuhanga Exhibition, Imadate Art Hall, Echizen, Fukui, Japan
2023 Australian Mokuhanga, Impress Gallery, Brisbane, Australia
2015 It’s Not a Myth [solo], Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne, Australia
2012 Remnants of a Tsunami [solo], Firestation Gallery, Melbourne, Australia
Collections:
2024 International Mokuhanga Association
2012 Beautiful Soup print exchange by 56 artists
2011 RMIT print exchange
2010 RMIT Print exchange
Notable achievements:
2025 Taught University of Massachusetts Lowell Art & Design. 5 day mokuhanga workshop, Ogawa Machi, Japan
2024 Founded Art Hikes & Mokuhanga workshops. Regularly teaching workshops in central Tokyo at the historical Schreck House.
2024 Art Hikes & Mokuhanga workshop, Taipei, Taiwan
2024 Organiser of the International Mokuhanga Conference Art Hikes print exchange
Member of Art Byte Critique - Tokyo-based artist collective
Member of Firestation Print Studio, Melbourne, Australia
2024 Interviewed on The Unfinished Print podcast by Andre Zadarozny. “Jason Fujiwara: Printmaker - A Visual Diary”
Awards:
2011 Winner of the Firestation Print Studio Undergraduate award