An authentic e-book jacket produced in letterpress printing by the shop. (Picture by The Japan Information)
The Kagurazaka neighborhood of Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, the place the publishing trade thrives, is dotted with printing shops that mix in with the residential space.
Amongst these shops, I discovered one with an attention-grabbing signal with kanji characters that learn “Katsuji,” or printing kind. Established in 1917, Sasaki Katsuji-ten (Sasaki kind retailer) carries on the normal letterpress printing method, wherein staff craft and decide up one kind at a time.
Upon coming into the shop, guests will discover a row of aged wood cabinets that go up almost to the ceiling behind a counter that shows samples of printed supplies. The shop is alleged to have greater than 7 million items of Japanese typefaces, alphabets, symbols and extra, in additional than 10 totally different sizes. On the second ground, there may be an computerized typefounding machine manufactured greater than 60 years in the past that’s nonetheless operational.
printing kind refers to a typeface utilized in letterpress printing. Letterpress printing includes the next 4 processes: typefounding, wherein a convex kind is made on the finish of a lead alloy sq. bar; letter choice, wherein the letters are chosen from cabinets in accordance with the textual content; typesetting, wherein the chosen varieties are organized to make a typesetting plate; and printing, wherein the letters are printed utilizing a typesetting plate.
Letterpress printing was launched to Japan within the early Meiji interval (1868-1912) and helped dramatically unfold print media resembling books and newspapers. Nevertheless, the trade declined with the event of extra superior printing know-how.
Sasaki Katsuji-ten initially specialised within the sale of convex varieties. At its peak, the shop had about 20 craftsmen. Nevertheless, because the printing trade started to shrink, the shop started to have interaction in letter choice, typesetting and printing.
Katsuyuki Sasaki, 49, the fourth-generation president, give up his job within the development trade when he was 36 to take over the household enterprise. His father, Seiichi, now 82, opposed the choice, however Katsuyuki overruled his objection, saying: “I need to preserve the shop by some means. I’ll do it myself.”
“The allure of printing kind is the typeface. Letterpress printing makes even small letters clearly readable and naturally supplies a really feel that isn’t present in fashionable printed supplies,” Sasaki mentioned.
The shop has obtained many orders for enterprise playing cards in recent times. There’ll all the time be individuals who search printing varieties with a craftsman’s blood operating by each single letter.
Sasaki Katsuji-ten Tackle: 75 Enokicho, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo Entry: About 10-minute stroll from Kagurazaka or Waseda stations on Tozai Line Observe: The shop organizes guided visits of the typefounding course of.
