Organizer Information:
The Adachi Foundation for the Preservation of Woodcut Printing is dedicated to sustaining and promoting the traditional Japanese art of ukiyo-e woodcut prints. Founded to preserve historical techniques, the Foundation supports both established and emerging artists by providing opportunities to collaborate with skilled carvers and printers, ensuring that the centuries-old craft continues into the 21st century.
Title & Description:
The Adachi Contemporary UKIYOE Award 2025 invites 21st-century ukiyo-e artists to create hand-drawn designs that reflect contemporary life while honoring traditional woodcut techniques. Selected artists will collaborate with contemporary carvers and printers to transform their original designs into woodcut prints. The award celebrates innovation in ukiyo-e, fostering a new generation of artists who can continue the legacy of masters such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, while producing works that capture the spirit and context of today’s society.
Categories:
Drawing (hand-drawn or digital), Ukiyo-e, Print Design
Eligibility:
- Open to individual artists worldwide
- No restrictions on age, gender, nationality, or genre
- Group or workshop submissions are not allowed
Program Benefits & Awards:
- 1st Prize: 300,000 yen + the design produced as a woodcut print, with a complete print awarded to the artist
- 2nd Prize: 150,000 yen + the design produced as a woodcut print, with a complete print awarded to the artist
- 3rd Prize: 50,000 yen
- Collaboration with professional carvers and printers
- Public exhibition of completed prints at the Adachi Foundation showroom
Application Fee:
None
Application Requirements:
- Completed application form
- 5–10 images of past hand-drawn works (or digital designs)
- Include title, size, year, and medium for each work
- No photographs, prints, or 3D works accepted
- AI-assisted works must be clearly indicated
How to Apply:
Online Application
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline: 25 December 2025
- Notification Date: February 2026
- Woodcut Print Production: From April 2026
Location:
Tokyo, Japan
Additional Details:
- Submitted works must not infringe on copyright; violations will result in disqualification
- Copyright of produced woodcut prints belongs to the Adachi Foundation
- Commercial use of prints requires the winner’s permission and coordination with the Foundation
- Only applicants meeting all regulations will be considered