Black Rabbit Woodblock Print Animal by Shin Kogei

This is a woodblock print rabbit from the series of animals made by Shin Kogei of Hida-Takayama in Gifu

Shin Kogei were founded in Hida-Takayama in the snowy north of Gifu prefecture by a local artist, and their shop is a location to visit within the town. Hida-Takayama was an important castle settlement in the Middle Ages, and today has a fine tradition for wood craft.

Shin Kogei use wood to make their printing blocks. Designs are transferred to the woodblocks, before being hand dyed onto natural cotton. Each colour designates a different block used, showing the time spent on each. The animals are filled with natural casks and hand sewn.

This rabbit is based on the black Amami Rabbit, which is an endangered species found on some southern islands in Japan.  The pattern represents the bright hibiscus and other plants of that region.

It is 6cm wide and 10cm high.