The First International Nōsatsukai

Sekioka Mokuhan and Hozuki Books are proud to announce the launch of the first International Nōsatsukai. Until now, nōsatsukai have been accessible only to those living in Japan. From 2025, however, Sekioka Mokuhan and Hozuki Books will host a nōsatsukai open to participants living outside of Japan. Twice a year participants will receive a mailed package containing woodblock prints featuring the names or pseudonyms of all participants as well as a selection of single senshafuda offered by members who have commissioned prints. The theme of each print will be decided four months in advance of the nōsatsukai date by the participants via online vote from three options proposed by the organisers. This will provide time for the calligraphers, artists, carvers, and printers involved to produce the prints.

What are senshafuda (千社札)?

A growing interest in pilgrimages amongst Japanese people in the Edo period provided the impetus for the production of a new type of woodblock-printed ephemera – senshafuda (also called nōsatsu). At the very beginning, pilgrims pasted their senshafuda – slips of paper woodblock-printed with dark grey pigment with their name – on temple gates. As pilgrims ran into each other multiple times on the trail they came to exchange the printed slips like business cards. Around the same period, businesses started to print woodblocks with multiple colours. These businesses began to print colourful shop cards and colleagues had competitions over the best designs. The popularity of senshafuda and gatherings at which senshafuda were exchanged increased, and the first nōsatsukai were born.  

What is the nōsatsukai (納札会)?

As of 2023, there were three nōsatsukai in Japan. The International Nōsatsukai will be the fourth active nōsatsukai, and the world’s first international association. In preparation for a typical nōsatsukai in Japan, the members’ names are cut in new woodblocks. The prints are distributed at the nōsatsukai together with senshafuda created by members, which may include congratulatory or consolation messages and designs. The January meeting is always lively, with people bringing hand towels and calendars for the New Year. In July, a memorial service is held for members who passed away during the year. Although the nōsatsukai members have different occupations, their common interest in senshafuda brings them together. The exchange of senshafuda is a fascinating tradition that continues to be passed down from generation to generation.

Image source, Kanagawa Shinba (1923). The history of nōsatsukai (2nd ed.)

Registration for International Nōsatsukai placements for 2025 will open online in November of 2024. One hundred places will be available for the first kai. This number will be raised for successive kai if the number of applicants is higher than expected. Successful applicants will be contacted in January 2025. The first kai will take place in June 2025, and the second in October 2025. The theme of the first kai will be chosen by the organisers and announced in January. The number of participants will determine the print run of each print. International Nōsatsukai prints will not be sold or given by the organisers to non-participants. 

For one-year membership, payment must be received by the end of January. For single-kai membership, the payment for each kai must be received three months in advance of the relevant kai. If payment is not received by the aforementioned date, the applicant’s place may be offered to another applicant on the waiting list. Members will have the option of extending their membership at the end of their subscription. Membership costs may change in successive years as labour and material costs change. Please note that membership costs do not include the production of custom-made single senshafuda. The position of members’ names in the prints will be determined by lottery.

Nobuto Ogawa

Woodblock printer

Captivated by watching his grandfather print ukiyo-e, Nobuto pursued a career in woodblock printing himself, keeping the tradition alive in the process.

Yuka Mekaru

Edo-moji calligraphy

Yuka first encountered Edo-moji through her love for rakugo (Japanese comic storytelling) and became intrigued by the style of Yose-moji.

Saeko Nagai

Woodblock cutter

Born in Tokyo Sumida, Saeko graduated from the Kyoto College of Traditional Crafts and studied under the third generation Sekioka Senrei. She currently has her own studio in her hometown.

Sayumi Abe

Woodblock cutter

Born in Kamakura, Sayumi studied under Sekioka Senjo III after graduating from design school. She currently operates from a workshop in Arakawa Ward.

In 2025 there will be two kai held by the International Nōsatsukai, in June and October. For each of these kai, a packet of woodblock prints will be sent to members. For each kai, members will be invited to an online meeting at which information about the theme of the kai’s print will be provided and members can chat with the printer and artist. The membership price for this “trial year” will be US$550. From 2026 there will be three kai held, in February, June, and October. For each of these kai, a packet of woodblock prints will be sent to members. The print for one of these kai will be simpler than usual. For example, the print may be monochrome rather than coloured. For each kai, members will be invited to an online meeting at which information about the theme of the kai’s print will be provided and members can chat with the printer and artist. The membership price for 2026 onwards will be US$650 (as there is one more kai than in the trial year), although this is subject to change as material costs (pigments, washi paper, etc.) may fluctuate. If there is enough interest, members will be invited to attend a nōsatsukai in person held in Japan every three or four years.

One-year trial membership of the International Nōsatsukai includes:

• Two packets of senshafuda (including a total of two custom-made prints featuring all members’ names).
• International (insured) shipping costs for the two packets of senshafuda.
• Biannual online meeting with the community and craftspeople.
• A one-hour woodblock-printing experience at the Sekioka Mokuhan studio when visiting Tokyo.
• Possible to commission custom-made senshafuda (at extra cost).
• Access to an online database of previous International Nōsatsukai prints.

One-year membership is available for US$550. 

Single-kai trial membership of the International Nōsatsukai includes:

• One packet of senshafuda (including one custom-made print featuring all members’ names).
• International (insured) shipping costs.
• A one-hour woodblock-printing experience at the Sekioka Mokuhan studio when visiting Tokyo.

Single-kai membership is available for US$350. 

To our knowledge, this will be the first international nōsatsukai in history. The nōsatsukai will provide members with the opportunity to share their love of Japanese woodblock prints by actively participating in the production of new artworks and supporting papermakers, calligraphers, carvers, printers, and artists involved in print production. The exchange of commissioned senshafuda – the core of all nōsatsukai – will also provide members with opportunities for networking and creative collaboration. We hope you join us in writing this new chapter in the history of senshafuda. 

Updates about the International Nōsatsukai and 2025 registration will be sent by email. To subscribe to the mailing list and register your interest for participating in the International Nōsatsukai, fill in the form below!