Translation guide
A traditional relief printing technique where an image is carved into a block of wood, inked, and pressed onto paper or fabric. In a Japanese context, this most often refers to ukiyo-e and related art forms.
woodblock printing (art form)
General term; use 浮世絵 for ukiyo-e specifically.
woodblock printing (technique)
Emphasizes the printing process.
Referring to the traditional Japanese art of woodblock printing, especially ukiyo-e pictures of the floating world.
General term for woodblock prints, including both Japanese and Western styles. Safe default for 'woodblock printing' as an art form.
Edo-period woodblock prints are exhibited at this museum.
Specifically refers to ukiyo-e, the famous genre of Japanese woodblock prints depicting landscapes, kabuki actors, beautiful women, etc. Use when the context is clearly about this traditional art.
Literally 'woodblock printing', emphasizing the printing technique rather than the art. Used in technical or historical contexts.
Describing the method, craft, or act of printing from carved wooden blocks.
Means 'the technique of woodblock printing'. Natural when discussing the process or skill.
The technique of woodblock printing was introduced to Japan from China.
General term for printmaking, including woodblock, etching, lithography, etc. Often used in art contexts. Specify 木版画 if woodblock is essential.
Referring to one physical print made from a woodblock.
木版画 (mokuhanga) is the broader term for any woodblock print, including modern and non-Japanese works. 浮世絵 (ukiyo-e) specifically refers to the genre of Japanese woodblock prints from the Edo period. If you're talking about Hokusai or Hiroshige, 浮世絵 is more precise and natural.
Ukiyo-e is a type of woodblock print.
版画 (hanga) means 'print' in the artistic sense. It can refer to woodblock, copperplate, silkscreen, etc. If the context already makes it clear you're talking about woodblock, you can use 版画, but 木版画 is safer to avoid ambiguity.
I'm interested in Japanese woodblock printing.
Woodblock printing flourished in the Edo period.
Hokusai's ukiyo-e series 'Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji' is world-famous.
Woodblock printing became widespread in Japan during the Edo period.
彼女は大学で版画を専攻しています。
She is majoring in printmaking at university.
壁に美しい版画が飾ってあります。
A beautiful print is hanging on the wall.