Japan's Ukiyo-e Project revitalizes classic art form

TOKYO -- In art and design, what is old can feel new again when something from the past is rediscovered by a new generation of creative types rummaging through history's grab bag of forgotten styles and trends.

It is in this spirit that Ukiyo-e Project, which was launched in 2014, has been nurturing the production of one of Japan's oldest art forms -- handcrafted woodblock prints, or ukiyo-e -- in high-quality limited editions. But its productions come with a twist in terms of the subjects they portray, including iconic faces and scenes from the 21st century. To create each print in a still-expanding portfolio of remarkable images, the company assembles teams of skilled experts who work together to realize each new work using centuries-old printmaking techniques.