Introducing Our Brand New Collection: The Japanese Prints

In 1853 when Commodore Perry sailed into Edo Bay with a squadron of ships, Japan became inextricably linked with the western world for the first time.

By the 1920s, Japan was in step with all the developments of the Western World. Young people shopped at department stores, gathered at cafes and drank in smoky bars.

In order to attract custom, these modern pleasure palaces began placing advertisements on matchboxes.

In Japan, these advertisements were printed with wood blocks, and as they were so tiny, they could not be complicated. Their designs featured bold colours, flat planes and the use of negative space -The features of modernistic art.

The artists themselves were mostly anonymous Craftsman who adjusted their skills to the newly emerging industrialization of Japan.

The first examples in our collection feature a selection of bars, cafes, salons and hairdressers, all competing for the modern market. They cleverly combine the traditions of Japan and it's art with the new Western influences.

Today these designs are much sought after and they make a real impact when displayed and the modern home, café's, hotels and restaurants globally.