3piece set | Japanese Ukiyo-e Art Print on Awa Washi | Cat, Samurai and Beast, Samurai Frog.
3piece set | Japanese Ukiyo-e Art Print on Awa Washi | Cat, Samurai and Beast, Samurai Frog.
Printed on Awa Washi, a handmade Japanese paper designated as a national traditional craft, each piece offers a warm, organic texture that enhances the artwork’s depth and authenticity.
Designed and produced in our Kyoto studio, this museum-quality print brings the energy of Japan’s ancient warriors into modern spaces—perfect for those who find beauty in both stillness and power.
◆Details
A3 size.
Printed on authentic Awa Washi (traditional Japanese paper)
Inspired by the Ukiyo-e style of Japanese fine art
Museum-quality print (frame not included)
Designed and printed in Kyoto, Japan
◆What is Awa Washi?
Awa Washi is Japanese paper produced in Yoshino City, Tokushima Prefecture; Naka Town, Naka District; and Ikeda Town, Miyoshi City. It is made using traditional Japanese paper-making techniques such as “flow-making” and “pool-making.”Awa Washi is characterized by the unique texture and natural feel of hand-made paper, along with its durable quality—thin yet strong and resistant to tearing, even when wet.
◆History of Awa Washi
The exact origins of Awa Washi are unclear, but it is thought to have begun around 806–810 AD. Records indicate that the Awa Inbe clan cultivated hemp and kozo (paper mulberry) and produced paper, suggesting that washi production had already begun by the Nara period.In modern times, Awa washi gradually declined alongside Westernization. However, one paper-making company persevered in preserving the tradition, and in 1976, Awa washi was designated a Traditional Craft.
【Cat】
This ukiyo-e artwork depicts a cat standing quietly, bringing a serene elegance to the space. During the Edo period, cats underwent a significant transformation from practical animals for rodent control to beloved pets among the common people, sparking an unprecedented “first cat boom.” Around this time, cats became indispensable in everyday life, appearing in ukiyo-e prints and being treated almost like deities.
Capturing the delicate linework and subtle expressions characteristic of Edo-period art, this piece celebrates the beauty found within simplicity and stillness.
【Samurai and Beast】
Experience the fierce spirit and timeless artistry of the samurai.
Inspired by Ukiyo-e, Japan’s traditional woodblock printing style, this artwork captures the intensity of battle and the quiet discipline behind true strength. The bold lines and vivid colors evoke the essence of Edo-period craftsmanship, blending motion, courage, and serenity into a single composition.
In this piece, the tense moment where a hero with wild hair and a piercing gaze confronts the mythical beast "Karajishi" (Chinese Lion) is captured with overwhelming intensity. The dynamic motion that seems to burst from the frame, the intricate patterns of the kimono, and the depiction of the lion's rough fur are the crystallization of the skills of the carvers and printers of that time. The spirit that cuts through the silence and the figure of the hero who subdues even raging power. In the competitive modern society, receiving the "unshakable confidence" and "indomitable fighting spirit" radiated from this painting will serve as a catalyst to awaken the wildness and strength within ourselves.
【Samurai Frog】
A whimsical fusion of humor and tradition—this Ukiyo-e–inspired artwork depicts a frog dressed as a samurai, capturing the playful imagination of Japan’s Edo-era art. Balancing elegance with wit, it reflects the spirit of mitate-e—a classic style that reimagines familiar subjects in unexpected ways.
During the Edo period, frogs were deeply rooted in people's lives and culture in diverse ways. They served as subjects in literature, like Matsuo Basho's haiku, and became motifs in supernatural tales, such as the giant toad featured in the picture book Hyakumonogatari. They were cherished as talismans and lucky charms due to the pun “safely return.”
Because they lay many eggs at once, they were also seen as symbols of fertility and abundant harvests.
Since they can only jump forward, they were also considered symbols of career advancement.
◆Design
This artwork was designed in my Kyoto studio. Some of the images were designed using digital design tools, while others were designed using artificial intelligence (AI) with my own instructions and references to traditional artworks.
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Let customers speak for us
Stayed at a bad job way too long.
Told myself it was loyalty.
Turns out there's a word for what I was actually doing — and loyalty isn't it.
Chugi is the chapter. The short version is: real loyalty includes the question ""does this still deserve what I'm giving it?""
I had completely stopped asking that.
Didn't make me feel great about the past three years, not gonna lie.
But it reframed how I think about commitment going forward, which
I think is the point.
Good book. Challenging in the right ways.
All members of the SHOGUN production staff should read this.
The stories of Japanese samurai are fascinating.
The best choice not only to understand the spirit of Bushido, but also to embody it.
