THE ADACHI CONTEMPORARY UKIYOE AWARD 2022

2022.07.26

The Adachi Foundation was established in 1994 to preserve the techniques of Japanese woodcut printing and pass on such distinct techniques for the future generations. “The Adachi Contemporary Ukiyoe Award” is the project of the Adachi foundation to explore ukiyo-e artists in 21st century who work for Japanese traditional woodcut printing to introduce its very unique techniques and new possibilities to the world.

Ukiyo-e existed as one of mass communication methods like newspapers or magazines in the Edo era (1603-1867). Ukiyo-e artist (Eshi) needed to know current trends and popularities among the people to draw what could make people get excited. We expect to discover the contemporary artists who can draw now on their works through this award and the prize winners will be given an opportunity to produce their works into a woodcut print with contemporary carvers and printers!

What we would like to see in our applicants works are:
1. Theme which can appear to public
2. Unique and original
3. Beauties of omission
4. Now
,which are the characters and roles of ukiyo-e in the Edo era.

1. What:

1）A portfolio of your past works

Format: a book with 2 – 10 pages of A4 or letter size paper

Japanese traditional woodcut prints are expressed with Woodblock, Washi paper and water colors. We would like to see how the applicant’s work fits with this medium. Therefore, we request the portfolio on actual papers not digital. Please note that the portfolio sent digitally will not be accepted. Thank you for your understanding.

2）Application form Part1 and Part2

2. How: By mail

Not by email, the application sent digitally will be excluded.
Shipping cost should be owe by the applicant.

3. When: 7/2, 2022 – 12/23, 2022

4. Qualification: No restrictions of your career, age and nationality

5. Fee: free

6. Prize:

1st Prize
300,000 yen + your picture will be made as a woodcut print by the contemporary artisans and complete print will be given to you

2nd Prize
150,000 yen + your picture will be made as a woodcut print by the contemporary artisans and complete print will be given to you

3rd Prize
50,000 yen

7. Result: Around January, 2023

8. Judges:

Seiichiro Miida (Professor, Tokyo University of the Arts)
Tomio Koyama (Gallerist)
Yuji Yamashita (Professor, Meiji Gakuin University)
Isamu Adachi (Chairman, The Adachi Foundation)

9. Contact:

The Adachi Foundation

Shimoochiai 3-13-17 Shinjuku-ku,161-0033 Tokyo, JAPAN

Tel: +81-3-3951-1267　Fax: +81-3-3951-2137

Email:adachi@adachi-hanga.com

*The works of the applicants must not infringe on other’s copyright. The application will be cancelled if we find that their works infringe on other’s copyright.

*The copyright of the winners’ woodcut prints belongs to The Adachi Foundation.

*If the request for a commercial using the image or print itself of the prize winner is made, the Adachi Foundation will handle the case with the prize winner’s permission.

*The Adachi Foundation does not accept any application which does not meet the regulations of the award.

*The application is invalid if it is out of or lacks application qualification.

*The portfolio can be returned if only the applicant requests and can be returned only if the shipping address is in Japan and the shipping fee is paid by the applicant.

*We will not be able to answer any questions about the selection process.

*We only use all privacy information of applicants for this award for the purpose of the award. Please see our general privacy policy.

This award is Sponsored by:

The Adachi Foundation for the Preservation of Woodcut Printing

Cooperated by:

The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints

Takehiko Tsutsumi, ebc