Taguchi Tomoki

What the hand carves, the spirit remembers. In the Taguchi Tomoki Collection, each line pressed into wood sings the ancient hum of Japanese woodblock printing, where ink meets fiber and silence learns to hold form.

Here, the woodblock crane unfolds its wings across a phone case, slender neck bridging earth and sky, while the black and white floral woodblock print blooms upon a cushion—petals stark against emptiness, like poetry without sound.

This is not decoration. It is Ukiyo-e’s ghost reborn, where the crane walks between worlds, the deer stands still enough to vanish, and woodblock tigers prowl the border between myth and memory.

Every print moves with the deliberate restraint of mokuhanga, the traditional process where nature’s shape emerges only after the wood surrenders. What you hold is not just a case or a cushion—it is a bridge, spanning Edo-period aesthetics and contemporary design, a quiet testimony to Japanese craftsmanship, where simplicity sharpens into elegance.

Even now, the wood remembers every cut, every grain, every fleeting image that passed through it—leaving behind a pattern that does not fade, only deepens.

Taguchi Tomoki was a Japanese woodblock print artist active in the late 19th century during the Edo and early Meiji periods. He was known for his nature prints, especially of birds, plants, and other natural elements like the ocean. Some key facts about Taguchi Tomoki:

• He created the woodblock print collection "Yatsuo no Tsubaki" between 1860-1869, which contains many nature prints and is his most well known work.
• He had a simple and minimalist style, using muted tones and colors in his compositions. His prints often featured birds, flowers, trees, etc, designed into ornamental motifs.
• He worked in the "bijinga" genre, depicting beautiful women in addition to nature scenes.
• He was skilled at capturing natural objects like birds, plants, waves, etc. in an artistic way, blending Japanese and nature themes.
• His work is considered significant for carrying on Edo period stylistic traditions into the Meiji period, despite the great societal changes happening in Japan at the time.
• Original woodblock prints by Taguchi are collected, sold, and displayed around the world today as antique Japanese art.
• In addition to Yatsuo no Tsubaki, some of his other known works are a blue and beige print titled "Birds Flying in the Blue Sky" and a print of seagulls.

Yatsuo no Tsubaki is a famous woodblock print collection created by the Japanese artist Taguchi Tomoki between 1860-1869 during the late Edo and early Meiji periods. Some key points about Yatsuo no Tsubaki:

• It is considered Taguchi Tomoki's most well-known and important work, containing many nature prints and ornamental designs.
• The collection features simple, minimalist woodblock prints of birds, plants, trees, waves, and other natural elements arranged in artistic motifs and compositions.
• Taguchi was skilled at capturing natural objects like birds and plants and integrating them into aesthetically pleasing designs with muted colors and tones.
• The prints blend Japanese and nature themes, helping transition Edo period stylistic traditions into the Meiji era.
• Original woodblock prints from the collection are now collected and sold around the world as antique 19th century Japanese art.
• In addition to nature prints, Yatsuo no Tsubaki also contains some "bijinga" prints depicting beautiful women.
• The collection has inspired modern reproductions, art prints, and products featuring its nature motifs.

• Simple and minimalist aesthetic using muted, soft colors and tones
• Focus on natural subjects like birds, plants, trees, waves, etc
• Natural elements arranged in ornamental motifs and compositions
• Captured delicate details of birds, plants, feathers, waves, etc in an artistic way
• Blended Japanese nature themes with simple, aesthetic designs
• Used principles of harmony, balance, and calm in compositions
• Smooth gradations of color rather than strong contrasts
• White space and blank areas to highlight subjects
• Traditional woodblock printmaking techniques with carving, inking, printing
• Prints transitioned Edo period style into Meiji era despite societal changes24

Taguchi Tomoki's art holds significant historical and aesthetic value. His woodblock prints, characterized by their simplicity and natural motifs, offer a glimpse into the artistic sensibilities of the late Edo period in Japan. They provide a connection to the past and showcase the timeless appeal of traditional Japanese art.