Concept

Mokuhanga is the Japanese word for printing using the waterbased woodblock technique developed during the Edo period. Moku means wood and hanga can be translated as printing. This technique has gained recognition as a flexible and non-toxic method of printmaking for contemporary creative artists. While many international artists are now making prints with this technique, it is still difficult to find information to develop the skills, and to find tools, materials, markets, text books and research opportunities related to mokuhanga.

The International Mokuhanga Conference Board (IMC) established the triennial mokuhanga conference to address these needs by bringing together printmakers, academicians, researchers and materials/tool makers. The Conference offers a forum for international discussion, and a way for people from different disciplines and different countries to share ideas about this exciting technique, rooted in history, but evolving in new directions that reflect the ideas of contemporary artists.

The first IMC2011 was held in Kyoto and Awaji in 2011. IMC2014 will be the second conference, and will be held in Tokyo, Japan, hosted by Tokyo University of the Arts, (Tokyo Geidai), known for the quality of its art program, and home to a respected printmaking program.