Japanese woodblock prints have traditionally been made in the following sizes and formats. These sizes are based on the typical dimensions of handmade Japanese paper, so as not to waste any paper. The most common print size is the oban format, which uses half of a large hosho sheet. However, Japanese papermakers use slightly different recipes and molds and there is no exact standard for the size of a large hosho sheet. Therefore, the dimensions given below are average print sizes.
The words tate-e and yoko-e often appear after the print size in a catalog description (as in oban tate-e or chuban yoko-e). They refer to the alignment of the print; tate-e is a vertically aligned print, while yoko-e is a horizontal print. For more information on traditional Japanese paper dimensions, please visit woodblock.com. |
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Print Size | Size (in) | Size (cm) | Notes |
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oban | 9.5" x 14.5" | 24.1 x 36.8 cm | 1/2 of large hosho sheet |
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dai oban | 12" x 16.5" | 30.5 x 42 cm | also called 'large oban', standard size for Paul Jacoulet prints & large Elizabeth Keith prints |
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double oban | 15" x 20" | 38 x 51 cm | entire large hosho sheet |
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aiban | 9" x 13" | 34.2 x 22.5 cm | in between oban and chuban sizes, 1/2 of small hosho sheet |
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chuban | 7.5" x 10"v | 19 x 26 cm | 1/2 of oban size, 1/4 of large hosho sheetv |
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koban | 5" x 7.5" | 12.7 x 19 cm | 1/2 of chuban size, 1/8 of large hosho sheet, format for some Hasui postcards |
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yatsugiriv | 3.75" x 5" | 9.5 x 12.7 cm | postcard size, 1/2 of koban size |
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tanzaku | 17" x 5" | 43 x 12.7 cm | narrow vertical format used for paintings, pillar prints, and calligraphy |
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chutanzaku | 15" x 5.1" | 38 x 13 cm | narrow format, similar to hosoban size |
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nagaoban | 19.7" x 8.7" | 50 x 22 cm | common format for large Koson prints |
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hosoban | 13" x 5.7" | 33 x 14.5 cm | common format for small Koson prints |
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shikishiban | 7.1" x 8.3" | 18.2 x 21.2 cm | also called kukuban, square format sometimes used for fan prints |
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hashira-e | 28.7" x 4.7" | 73 x 12 cm | narrow vertical format used for paintings, pillar prints, and calligraphy |
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kakemono-e | 30.1" x 9.1" | 76.5 x 23 cm | narrow vertical format used for paintings, pillar prints, and calligraphy |
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