Every time I thought I was close to being finished with carving, I realized I wasn't after showing it to my sensei. In my last post about this work that was still in progress, I wrote that I was almost finished. That was the first of a few times of discovering I was still far from finished.

The traditional Japanese method has been, of course, different from what I learned in college at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle about Japanese woodblock printmaking (moku-hanga).

Today though, I finally have a finished print that will be hanging in the exhibition tomorrow at Ozu Washi in the Nihonbashi area of Tokyo.

I really didn't think I could complete my first moku-hanga print using traditional Japanese methods in such a short time, but I wanted to try to participate in the Exhibition and I'm glad I did.

The final print didn't turn out completely as I hoped, but I was able to experience the full process. I learned a lot and feel more confident about applying what I learned in the next project.

The process of making "Seaside White Wagtails" was challenging, fun, and there were some memorable experiences.

For example, there was one day I went to the park to do some of my work, since I wasn't able to do it at home.

I was surprised when a number of people approached me to ask what I was doing, and it seemed everyone already knew the reason I needed to do that loud work outside in the park. People knew I couldn't use a hammer for 5 hours in my house. Japan homes and neighborhoods are as quiet as an open desert.

There was also one point when many children surrounded me at my picnic table several times and asked what I was doing, watched in amazement, and asked if they could keep the scrap wood shavings to play with. It was such a fun experience.

I plan to share more about the finished result of my first traditionally carved and printed Japanese woodblock print next week after the exhibition is finished. I will also be sharing soon what I've been working on for the next project.

This week I will be volunteering at the exhibition. You can find more information on the page for this event. I hope to see you there!