79. TERRY MCKENNA - The Karuizawa Mokuhanga School of woodblock printing

About this episode

Terry McKenna discusses the art of woodblock printing and its connections to tattooing.

Curious about how to make woodblock prints? In this episode of Tattoo Tales, I’m joined by Australian artist Terry McKenna, known by his artist name Toraku ("Fun Knife"), who traded oil paints for the traditional Japanese art of Mokuhanga over twenty years ago. From his school in the mountains of Karuizawa, Terry breaks down the intricate world of woodblock printing—from the discipline of his apprenticeship in Kyoto to the specialized tools like the baren and cherry wood blocks. We dive into the striking parallels between the heritage of Japanese printmaking and the tattooing world, exploring how the craft has evolved from the rigid assembly lines of the Edo period to a contemporary "Golden Age" where artists handle every step of the process. It’s a deep dive into a tactile, timeless and versatile medium that rewards patience and honors the rule of "making it from yourself." Artists mentioned in the episode: Hiroshi Yoshida (shin hanga) Munakata Shiko (sosaku hanga) Suppliers: Gwasendo (art supply store in Kyoto) Michihamono (tool maker) Sekaido (Tokyo) Mokuhankan (Tokyo) Mentioned tattoo-friendly onsen: agri-yu Learn more about Terry’s courses and residencies Terry’s school on…

People in this episode

Host: Stef Bastiàn

Guest: Terry McKenna

Topics covered

• woodblock printing
• Mokuhanga
• Japanese art
• tattooing
• artistic techniques
• cultural heritage

Keywords

• woodblock printing
• Mokuhanga
• tattooing
• Japanese art
• art techniques
• Karuizawa
• Kyoto
• Edo period
• art supplies
• onset

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Gwasendo, Michihamono, Sekaido, Mokuhankan

Places: Karuizawa, Kyoto, Tokyo, agri-yu

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