Hajime Namiki carves and prints every edition himself — self-drawn, self-carved, self-printed, the three principles of the sōsaku-hanga movement.
He spent his first thirteen years as a sculptor, carving hummingbirds, kingfishers, hawks and falcons in wood, and that hand is visible in the bark and branches of every tree he has cut since.
Where most contemporary printmakers have moved to softer woods, Namiki still works in hard mountain cherry — now so scarce in Japan that he imports it from Canada — because nothing else holds the detail.
He prints with oil pigments rather than the usual watercolor, for deeper and more permanent color, on hand-made Gampi paper. The gold comes last: he prints in oil-based ink, presses silver or 24-carat leaf across the whole wet sheet, and lets it sit for about a month. The ink holds the leaf only where he printed; the rest brushes away. Very few printmakers work this way.
Read Namiki's full story — from woodcarver to printmaker, and how his work reached the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress.
Virtual Exhibit
Learn more about Ukiyo-e, Shin-hanga, Sosaku-hanga art movements, Steve Jobs and Shin-Hanga, Namiki's process and story.
Our last exhibit
In March-April 2024, Art House SF hosted Namiki's solo exhibit in our space in San Francisco. Take a look at some of photos and videos from it.
Available artwork
See our entire collection of Namiki's artwork. All prints are shipped from Japan to our art gallery in San Francisco. They're in framed in traditional Japanese frames in Tokyo.
Frequently Asked Questions:
| Is this artwork original? | How is it framed? |
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Check the "Technique" field above: Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, or Fabric — a unique, one-of-a-kind original, delivered to us directly by the artist and framed in California. Handmade Woodblock Print, Silkscreen, Etching, or Lithograph — an original print. The artist carved or cut the matrix and pulled each impression by hand; there is no painting it was copied from. Each is signed and numbered by the artist within a limited edition. Fine Art Print, Giclée, Canvas Print, or Metal Print — a high-quality, museum-grade reproduction of an original work fabricated here in San Francisco. |
Check the "Framing" field above for this piece. The design is our own — museum-grade, archival, and always real wood, never veneer or composite. The species suits the work — cherry, ash, maple, oak, poplar, or hinoki cypress. Chosen per artist, not to a house style. Where it's made — Kuriyagawa's and Namiki's frames are made in Japan. Everything else is framed in the United States, from hardwood milled by a third-generation family workshop that supplies exhibition frames to museums. Every piece arrives ready to hang, with hardware and a level included. |
| Can you help me visualize the artwork? | How do I buy an artwork I like? |
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Send us a photo of your wall and we'll place the artwork into it, to scale, so you can see exactly how it looks in your room. No charge, no obligation. Want to see more? We'll send a video of the piece from every angle. Email us — or see examples on our YouTube channel. |
Add to Cart and check out securely on the site. We take credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Shop Pay. Or just email us. We'll answer any questions and send an invoice — no account needed. |
| Can you help me install the artwork? | What's your return policy? |
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In the SF Bay Area — yes, in person. We'll deliver and hang it for you, free of charge. Just ask. Anywhere else — every package includes what you need: hanging hardware, a level, and a microfiber cloth. Everything arrives ready to hang. |
30 days, no questions asked — on original paintings and on original prints. Return it in its original condition and we'll issue a full refund, less return shipping. The one exception — fine art prints and giclées are made to order for you, so those sales are final. |
| Do you ship internationally? | How long will my order take? |
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Yes, worldwide. We've shipped to Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Germany and the UK, all delivered without incident. Typical cost is $60–$140 via UPS, with delivery in about two weeks. Rates are calculated at checkout. Any duties or import taxes are paid by the customer on delivery. Not sure? Email us for an estimate before you order. |
In stock — ships in 1–3 business days. Then 2–3 days to arrive on the West Coast, 5–7 days elsewhere in the US. Made to order — about two weeks. Fine art prints and giclées are printed for you, so allow 10–14 days before shipping. Everything goes UPS, tracked. You'll get a tracking number when it leaves us. |
