SHUEISHA Inc. All rights reserved.
Several scenes in ONE PIECE are illustrated on multiple sheets of paper adjoined together.
These were created to commemorate the 10th and 20th anniversary of the series.
Adored by many fans, these images have been the basis for posters, merchandise, and figures.
These illustrations deserve to be preserved in the best condition possible for many generations to come. To this end, a special type of paper and a special printing technique were selected for this series.
The paper is handmade Echizen washi.
The current Iwano Heizaburou Paper Mill was first established in 1865, during the turbulent period end of the Edo period. In the following Meiji period, its founder Iwano Heizaburou developed kumohadamashi (Kumohada Hemp) paper, which was excellent for painting. It was a favorite of Yokoyama Taikan (1868-1958) and other artists. Even now, in its fourth generation, the company uses traditional raw materials to produce sheets of paper over three meters long. Iwano Heizaburou is the only paper mill in Japan where large-format handmade washi paper is still produced.
We use collotype printing on this type of paper.
The collotype method is considered to be the oldest photo-engraving technique still in practical use. Historical evidence demonstrates that collotype-printed images last for more than a century. For this reason, photographs printed using this technique are still attached to restoration records of temples and shrines in Kyoto. Founded in 1887 during the Meiji era, Benrido is the only company in the world that still creates color collotype printing on their premises. Given their excellent track record of historical projects such as capturing the large murals of the Main Hall (Kondo) of Horyu-ji Temple in Nara, we commissioned the company to create the plates and to do the printing for this project.
To create an enhanced impact, the original illustration was enlarged. Reproducing the vivid colors utilized 16~17 plates per sheet, four times the number of plates normally employed in standard commercial printing. Only beautiful, strong washi paper is capable of withstanding the over 10 passes necessary during the collotype process to create this illustration. The use of so many plates was a first even for the Benrido Collotype Atelier, used to making numerous reproductions of national treasures and important cultural properties. It takes skilled craftsmen to accurately match align the plates to ensure the image remains sharp during the printing process.
This process was repeated for three sheets.
This is the first ever work to be completed using a total of 50 plates.
2024.7.9 – 9.8 Eiichiro Oda "ONE PIECE / The Scroll " at Azabudai Hills
Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza A, B1 5-8-1, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, JAPAN
Access / About a 1-minute walk from Exit 5, Kamiyacho Station on the Hibiya Subway Line.
11:00 – 20:00
Closed Mondays ,September 9 to 16
