October 2009 Newsletter
Moku Hanga: 2009 Richard Steiner West Coast Tour
In the heat of summer, Moku Hanga teacher Richard Steiner took the
west coast by storm. A master of Japanese woodblock printing, he
began his tour (and the 5th year of teaching in Portland) with McClain’s
class of 15 students. Teaching this traditional art, he commented,
“This was possibly the best class that I have ever had….”
Not to come in second or third, Seattle followed up with 10 students and
Tieton/Yakima with 14!
There are few places where one can experience learning the tradition of
Japanese woodblock printing, and Drachen committed itself to this task
in order to help an individual understand and appreciate how many of the
Kitemakers of the past used this art to create multiples of their kites.
To prove this point further, the Foundation is now working with the
Museo Erasto Cortes of Puebla, Mexico to open the exhibition “Wings Over
a Floating World” in February 2010. Among the items in the
exhibition:19 original Japanese kite prints from the Skinner Collection,
24 contemporary paper and bamboo kites using “moku hanga” printing
techniques, the kabuki kites of Miko Toki.