The Adachi UKIYOE Award is an international competition seeking artists to create new ukiyo-e for today.
The Award is based on the traditional collaborative system of ukiyo-e production, in which the eshi (artist) creates the original design, the horishi (carver) carves the woodblocks, and the surishi (printer) prints the image. Contemporary artists are invited to take on the role of the eshi, bringing their own visual language and ideas to this centuries-old process.
In its 18th edition, the first- and second-prize winners will create new designs with professional carvers and printers in Japan.
Applicants submit images of 3–5 works they have created previously. These works are used for judging the artist’s style, individuality, and potential for creating contemporary ukiyo-e; they are not themselves reproduced as woodcuts. Submitted works must be two-dimensional and may be created by hand or digitally. Mixed media is also accepted. Any use of AI in the creation of submitted works must be disclosed.
Applicants must be 15 years of age or older. Those under 18 must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
The competition is open internationally, and specialist knowledge or previous experience in Japanese woodcut printing is not required.
Following the selection, the first- and second-prize winners each develop a new original design specifically for woodcut production. The selected artists then collaborate with professional carvers and printers at the Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints, where their designs are interpreted and produced by hand using traditional Japanese woodcut printing techniques.
Through this process, the Adachi UKIYOE Award aims not only to discover new artistic talent, but also to carry traditional craftsmanship into the future by creating new ukiyo-e that reflect contemporary artistic expression.
The Adachi UKIYOE Award 2026 – Application Fee
The application fee is JPY 2,000. The fee is non-refundable. An application is considered complete only after both the application form and the application fee have been received.