Uploaded August 2019 | Updated September 2026, 18 hours ago

---

This is the next in our 'David's Choice' series, where Tokyo-based woodblock printmaker David Bull introduces some of his favourite prints. This special episode has a ‘double punch’ - not only will you learn about a beautiful set of old Meiji-era woodblock books, but an important part of those books has come to life for you to use here in the modern day ... the original typeface has been recreated!

***

The download page for the Hasegawa font is:
mokuhankan.com/fonts

Many many thanks to Markku Mujunen for the huge amount of work and dedication he brought to this project!
If you are enjoying having this font for use, please take a minute to let him know, through his website:
markkumujunen.com

***

The music used in this video was composed by Bzaurie, and is entitled 'The Invisible Library':
bzaurie.bandcamp.com/track/the-invisible-library
Hear more at: bzaurie.bandcamp.com

***

The poetry reading was done in the only place in this building where I could 'escape' from all the noises of this community ... our bathroom. Please excuse the resulting audio 'effects' ...

***

More information:
Fellow book/print collector Marc Kahn has let me know about other 'sightings' of the Hasegawa font used extensively in some of their books.
-----
- "Japanese Pictures of Japanese Life" - This is the same book illustrated on the cover of Frederic Sharf's book about Takejiro Hasegawa.
- "Monthly Changes of Japanese Street-Scenes - Calendar for 1908" - In addition to just being a calendar, each month has some descriptive text.
-----
Thanks, Marc!

***

The Mokuhankan website is:
mokuhankan.com

Our Patreon page is:
patreon.com/mokuhankan

Our Twitch channel is:
twitch.tv/japaneseprintmaking

Thank you for watching!