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LIMITED EDITION PRINTS RELEASE
MARUNI X JACLYN MEDNICOV
Kyoto-based traditional woodblock printing studio MARUNI and American artist Jaclyn Mednicov have collaborated to produce five limited edition works now available for purchase. Facilitated by CIPANGO, whose operation fosters creative partnerships between Japanese artisans and the global luxury sector, the collection is handcrafted using centuries-old artisanal techniques by master printmakers and produced on fine quality Japanese washi paper. Each work represents a singular dialogue between Japanese craft heritage and contemporary artistic expression.
MARUNI of Kyoto, Japan, was founded in 1902 by the Nishimura family and is now directed by its current president, NISHIMURA Kazunori. MARUNI specializes in Karakami – a traditional printmaking technique in which pigment is applied to hand-carved woodblocks and printed onto washi paper. The technique was introduced to Japan from China approximately 1,300 years ago. Karakami in Kyoto is called Kyo Karakami. Kyo Karakami remains rooted in its origins, with many centuries-old hand-carved magnolia woodblocks featuring cultural motifs still in use today.
Traditionally employed to decorate sliding door panels in private residences and temples, Kyo Karakami has since expanded into a broader range of contemporary applications — from conventional wall coverings to individual artworks and fine art prints. Yet even as its applications have expanded, the craft itself remains rooted in a hand-guided artisanal process. In Kyoto, where the preservation of centuries-old techniques holds deep cultural significance, this dedication to craftsmanship endures not simply as tradition, but as a living legacy.
In 2019, Mednicov began a close collaboration with MARUNI master printer KUDO Sachito, combining contemporary digital and analogue processes with fields of color and traditional hand-printed cultural motifs. Through sustained experimentation, the partnership continues to open new visual possibilities that simultaneously honor tradition and expand its boundaries. Each work in the 2026 series reflects the depth and evolution of this ongoing relationship.
The five available prints include Hotaru (firefly), Natsu no nami (summer wave), Akikusa (silhouettes of autumn wildflowers), Yaezakura (double-layered sakura) & Clouds 1, and Yaezakura (double-layered sakura) & Clouds 2.
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For all inquiries and purchases, please shop on website or contact:
AMERICA | Jaclyn Mednicov | jmednicov@gmail.com | www.jaclynmednicov.com/
JAPAN | Karamaru | karamaru@karamaru.kyoto | https://karamaru.kyoto/en/
Copyright The Artists & MARUNI