Bokashi
Technique暈し
Definition
A shading technique in Japanese woodblock printing that creates smooth gradations of color by wiping or moistening part of the block before printing.
Bokashi in Detail
Bokashi is one of the most distinctive and admired techniques in Japanese woodblock printing. The printer applies pigment to the carved woodblock, then uses a damp cloth to partially remove ink from certain areas, creating a seamless transition from deep color to pale tint or bare paper. This gradient effect is used extensively for skies, water, and atmospheric effects.
In shin-hanga prints, bokashi reached extraordinary levels of sophistication. Printers like those employed by Watanabe Shozaburo could produce gradations so smooth they appeared airbrushed. Kawase Hasui's atmospheric twilight skies and Hiroshi Yoshida's luminous horizons depend heavily on masterful bokashi work. The technique requires exceptional skill — each impression must be hand-wiped individually, making every print slightly unique.
There are several variations including ichi-monji bokashi (straight-line gradation across the top of a print, common for skies), atenashi bokashi (gradation without a defined boundary), and koma-zuri (a variation using a separate gradation block). The technique has no equivalent in Western printing and remains one of the defining characteristics of the Japanese woodblock tradition.
Example Artworks (8)
Moraine Lake
1925
Color woodblock print
Mount Hodaka (Hodakayama)
Hodakayama
1926
Color woodblock print
Eboshidake
1926
Color woodblock print
Camping at Washibadake
1926
Color woodblock print
Greengrocery at Nezu (Nezu shojiki yaoya)
Nezu shojiki yaoya
1926
Color woodblock print; oban
Sailing Boats: Forenoon (Hansen, gozen), from the series "Seto Inland Sea (Seto Naikai shu)"
Hansen, gozen
1926
Color woodblock print
Sailing Boats: Afternoon (Hansen, gogo), from the series "Seto Inland Sea (Seto Naikai shu)"
Hansen, gogo
1926
Color woodblock print
Afternoon, from the series "Sailboat Boats"
1926
Color woodblock print
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bokashi?
A shading technique in Japanese woodblock printing that creates smooth gradations of color by wiping or moistening part of the block before printing.
What does 暈し mean?
暈し (Bokashi) is a term used in Japanese woodblock printmaking. A shading technique in Japanese woodblock printing that creates smooth gradations of color by wiping or moistening part of the block before printing.
How is Bokashi used in Japanese woodblock prints?
Bokashi is one of the most distinctive and admired techniques in Japanese woodblock printing. The printer applies pigment to the carved woodblock, then uses a damp cloth to partially remove ink from certain areas, creating a seamless transition from deep color to pale tint or bare paper. This gradient effect is used extensively for skies, water, and atmospheric effects. In shin-hanga prints, bokashi reached extraordinary levels of sophistication. Printers like those employed by Watanabe Shozaburo could produce gradations so smooth they appeared airbrushed. Kawase Hasui's atmospheric twilight skies and Hiroshi Yoshida's luminous horizons depend heavily on masterful bokashi work. The technique requires exceptional skill — each impression must be hand-wiped individually, making every print slightly unique.
What are examples of Bokashi in Japanese prints?
Notable examples of Bokashi can be seen in works such as "Moraine Lake", "Mount Hodaka (Hodakayama)", "Eboshidake", and 5 more in our collection.
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