alt.hn

2/22/2026 at 3:18:36 AM

Japanese Woodblock Print Search

 https://ukiyo-e.org/

by curmudgeon22

2/22/2026 at 3:53:05 AM

Thank you for sharing my site! I built this a number of years ago as I was starting to learn about Japanese prints. I wanted a single place where I could find them across all of the various museums and universities that hold them. I use computer vision analysis to cluster prints together (using TinEye). A bunch more technical details from the last time this was posted: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18344979

I’m working on a new site now that’s focused on prints that are for sale from dealers and auctions. Much more technically complex as it needs to be continuously updated. Hope to have a public beta soon!

by jeresig

2/22/2026 at 3:41:56 PM

Amazing resource - thank you for creating it!

We have "Red Gate in the Rain" by Kasamatsu Shiro [1] hanging in our home. I uploaded a photo of it and had a great time browsing other works by Shiro.

My wife also noted that we'll eventually inherit Shiro's "Snow Falling at Red Gate" [2], in the same series, from her aunt.

We've a couple other prints that I am going to search now... thanks again!

[1] https://ukiyo-e.org/image/artelino/30852g1

[2] https://ukiyo-e.org/image/jaodb/Kasamatsu_Shiro-No_Series-Sn...

by traeregan

2/22/2026 at 10:39:20 AM

Thank you for creating such a wonderful site! Woodblock printing is one of my favorite art forms.

My grandparents visited Japan long ago and gifted me two wooden boxes, one with this print on the lid: https://ukiyo-e.org/image/aic/99027_512658 and the other with https://ukiyo-e.org/image/honolulu/8277. They're secret boxes with no hinges or hardware, but if you press on certain locations in the correct order, sections will slide and the lid unlocks and can be opened.

Is there a way to stay informed of when your new print site launches?

by chickensong

2/22/2026 at 5:14:53 AM

Thank you for your work, it's an invaluable resource!

by masswerk

2/22/2026 at 7:16:36 PM

Nice! I was able to find my Father-in-law’s prints, he’ll enjoy checking this out.

by rgrieselhuber

2/22/2026 at 6:55:55 AM

That is so cool!!! Thank you for putting in the effort

by iddan

2/22/2026 at 4:48:03 AM

Wow 2 ukiyo-e threads in 24 hours. This is really cool.

I posted that there was a museum in kurashiki in the other thread but neglected to post a link. For anyone interested here it is https://ukiyo-e-kurashiki.jp/?lang=en

by PacificSpecific

2/22/2026 at 4:53:51 AM

I was going to ask what the other thread was but you made it easy!

The Rediscovery of 103 Hokusai Lost Sketches (2021) - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47030387 - Feb 2026 (8 comments)

by dang

2/22/2026 at 5:20:28 AM

Ah I should have posted the link. Glad you were able to find it and thanks for digging it up!

by PacificSpecific

2/22/2026 at 9:16:24 AM

If you're interested in the topic someone is streaming the whole process: https://www.twitch.tv/japaneseprintmaking

by S0und

2/22/2026 at 10:52:15 AM

I took a class at his workshop in Tokyo and highly recommend the experience. So much thought and detail goes into preparing the wood blocks and even into "just" printing them.

by nvalis

2/22/2026 at 8:58:34 AM

Wow, that's wonderful. There is a store that sells original Woodblock prints in Vienna, close to the Opera. Every time I'm passing by I take a few moments to look and reflect on those prints, it's great recognizing some on this website now.

by miduil

2/22/2026 at 12:15:05 PM

I know exactly which store you're talking about, and I couldn't resist going in the one time I was in Vienna. It's a great store.

by kehvyn

2/22/2026 at 4:53:18 AM

One past thread:

Japanese Woodblock Print Search - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18344979 - Oct 2018 (29 comments)

(Reposts are fine after a year or so; links to past threads are just to satisfy extra-curious readers)

by dang

2/22/2026 at 9:10:52 PM

I was in tokyo for quite a while in my most formative years, i love thisss. I think TinEye usage is cool, but aren't there better CV models out there which would fit this use case? Just wondering.

by TrailingArbutus

2/23/2026 at 12:09:24 AM

Probably! I made this about 15 years ago - the technology is evolved a lot since then!

by jeresig

2/22/2026 at 8:12:54 AM

Bookmarked for constant reference. As a designer, Japanese printmaking is a constant source of inspiration, and the effort that went into putting this together is pretty astounding. Thank you to the author for the hard work, and to the OP for surfacing it!

by Duanemclemore

2/22/2026 at 3:48:55 AM

Pretty sure this was made by John Resig, the creator of jQuery.

I used to be friends with him back in the day and he described wanting to do something like this. He was/is a passionate dude.

by zactato

2/22/2026 at 7:19:55 AM

kawase hasui is hands down the best to ever do it

he does trees and foliage in s very special way

by andeee23

2/22/2026 at 12:13:01 PM

A fellow Shin Hanga-era fan! There are dozens of us!

Hasui is excellent, but Shiro Kasamatsu is my undisputed favorite. Something about the way he does buildings, and the dramatic colors, is exactly aimed at me.

by kehvyn

2/22/2026 at 10:47:29 AM

No argument there.

For fans of California and the Bay Area, Tom Killion is a local hero as well.

by chickensong

2/22/2026 at 1:10:03 PM

Check out Chiura Obata. His Yosemite prints are stunning.

by gyomu

2/22/2026 at 6:47:51 PM

Lovely, thank you.

by chickensong

2/22/2026 at 8:55:31 AM

Agreed, he is my favorite as well. There is something so cinematic about every one of his images.

by keiferski

2/22/2026 at 9:58:03 AM

For those that don't know, this site was made by John Resig, yes, the same dude that invented jQuery.

by thrownaway561