Rappa-Shu (Trumpeter) IX 1959

Tadashi Nakayama created ‘Rappa-Shu (Trumpeter) IX’ using woodblock printing, a method with deep roots in Japanese folk art, yet here inflected with mid-century abstraction. The woodblock technique is crucial to understanding this image. Each color required a separate block, meticulously carved and then carefully aligned to build up the composition. Look closely at the textures. See how the grain of the wood subtly shows through the ink, adding a tactile quality? The layering of colors creates depth, despite the print’s flatness. Nakayama's choice of the woodblock is significant. It elevates what might be seen as a humble craft into the realm of fine art. The labor-intensive process emphasizes the value of the handmade, in contrast to the mass-produced images of a consumer society. By engaging with a traditional method and embracing its inherent qualities, Nakayama challenges the established hierarchy between art and craft. He reminds us that the value of an artwork lies not only in its visual appearance, but also in the story of its making.