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Rankafu, An Orchid Masterpiece

Psychopsis papilio, Butterfly Orchid, orchid species flower, woodblock print, Rankafu exhibit, Orchid Flower Album, RBG Kew, Kew Gardens, London, UKCymbidium erythraeum, orchid species flowers and graceful arching leaves, woodblock print, Rankafu exhibit, Orchid Flower Album, RBG Kew, Kew Gardens, London, UKZygopetalum maxillare, Zygo, orchid species flowers, woodblock print, Rankafu exhibit, Orchid Flower Album, RBG Kew, Kew Gardens, London, UK

Celebrate today’s spring equinox with these astounding orchid prints. Rankafu, which means Orchid Flower Album in Japanese, consists of 83 works done in 1946 by orchid lover Shotaro Kaga and artist Zuigetsu Ikeda. These woodblock prints are considered masterpieces for their exquisite colors, fine details, and expert use of difficult ukiyo-e printing techniques.

Holcoglossum kimballianum, orchid species flowers, woodblock print, Rankafu exhibit, Orchid Flower Album, RBG Kew, Kew Gardens, London, UKPaphiopedilum bellatulum, Paph, Lady Slipper orchid species flowers and leaves, variegated leaves, woodblock print, Rankafu exhibit, Orchid Flower Album, RBG Kew, Kew Gardens, London, UKLaeliocattleya nr No 106 'Oyamazaki', orchid hybrid flowers, woodblock print, Rankafu exhibit, Orchid Flower Album, RBG Kew, Kew Gardens, London, UK

Vanda sanderiana, orchid species flowers and leaves, woodblock print, Rankafu exhibit, Orchid Flower Album, RBG Kew, Kew Gardens, London, UKBrassia verrucosa, Spider Orchid, orchid species flowers, woodblock print, Rankafu exhibit, Orchid Flower Album, RBG Kew, Kew Gardens, London, UKMasdevallia schroederiana, orchid species flowers and leaves, woodblock print, Rankafu exhibit, Orchid Flower Album, RBG Kew, Kew Gardens, London, UK

In addition to the botanical beauty, the two final photos show traditional Japanese carving and printing tools that were on display in this recent exhibit at London’s Kew Gardens. You can find much more in the newly published Rankafu: Japanese Masterpiece Orchid Woodblock Prints. This dazzling volume features the history of these stunning pictures and the people behind them. Kaga’s fascination with orchids, and his wish to masterfully capture their magic, inspired a love of orchids in Japan that continues today.

Renanthera imschootiana, orchid species flowers, red flowers, woodblock print, Rankafu exhibit, Orchid Flower Album, RBG Kew, Kew Gardens, London, UKJapanese woodblock carving tools, tradition Japanese tools, Rankafu exhibit, Orchid Flower Album, RBG Kew, Kew Gardens, London, UKJapanese woodblock printing tools, tradition Japanese tools, Rankafu exhibit, Orchid Flower Album, RBG Kew, Kew Gardens, London, UK

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 at 6:00 am and is filed under Books, Misc, Photos.

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