Kento Registration

Kento is the registration system traditionally used by Japanese printmakers.

Multi-color woodblock prints often require a separate block for each color, and the kento marks insure the needed accuracy to align the colors on the paper.  It is necessary for each block with a design on it to have its own set of carved kento marks.  Here's how to do it!

Step 1:

Draw kento lines and image onto the block at the same time. They should be at least ¼ inch in from the edges of the block.  Illustration #1

Carve the images on the blocks, then carve all of the kento marks at the same time so they will be consistent.

Illus. 1.  Draw image and lines.

Illus.2.      hikitsuke  paper           kagi

Step 2:

Start with the hikitsuke kento. Place the kento nomi (registration carving chisel) or hira to (chisel) on the drawn line.  Hold the tool with the flat side towards you and push straight down into the wood about 2mm.  Gently rock the tool left and right.   Illustration #3

Illus.3.  Cut 1 of the hikitsuke kento.

Step #3:

At both ends of this cut line make perpendicular cuts straight down forming a small rectangle.           Illustration #4

Illus. 4.  Cuts 2 & 3 of the hikistuke kento.

Step 4:

Turn the block 180 degrees. Make sure the block is secure against a bench hook.

With the bevel side of the kento nomi face down, carefully clear wood way from both sides of the rectangle.  Illustration #5

Illus. 5.  Clearing the sides of the

hikitsuke kento.

Step 5:

Shave the area in front of the rectangle to establish a stop for your printing paper.  This very shallow cut only needs to be as deep as the printing paper is thick.   Illustration #6 

Illus. 6.  Cut 6 and side view of the

hikitsuke kento.

Step 6:

Cut the lines shown in illustration #7 for the kagi kento using the same technique shown in illustration #3.

Illus. 7.  The first 4 cuts of the kagi kento.

Step 7:

Cut away the areas shown in illustration #8.  Clearing these two areas first make the cutting of the corner much easier.

Illus. 8.  Cuts 5 & 6 of the kagi kento.

Step 8:

Now hold the tool almost flat to the wood and shave the wood out of the corner.  Illustration #9 

Illus. 9.  Clearing the corner of the

kagi kento.

Step 9:

Clear a 'moat' between the kagi kento and the color area.  Illustration #10

Illus. 10.  Clearing the 'moat' between

the design and the kagi kento.

The kento system is now ready to use!  The next step is to print the design.  This topic will be covered in further issues of the newsletter. If you have questions about this technique or others related to relief printmaking, give us a call and we'll be happy to help you.

Kento Nomi

Registration chisel

Register your blocks like a pro!  This beautifully handcrafted tool is designed specifically for making the kento marks talked about in the TIPS section above. Its blade is crafted of the highest quality steel, while the handle is made of Japanese oak, the strongest and most durable wood growing in Japan. The blade is 15mm wide while the tools length is approximately 6 inches long (16.7 cm). 

C2056 Kento nomi  $58.30

Hira To

Large chisels

While they are designed for clearing large white space areas, Hira To 12mm or larger can also be used to create kento marks.  The flat side of the blade facilitates the clean cuts necessary for precise registration marks.

C2827 Namisei 12.0mm $18.55

C2828 Namisei 15.0mm $21.65

C2721 Josei  15.0mm  $30.80

C2722 Josei  18.0mm  $37.70

C2723 Josei  21.0mm  $49.55

C2724 Josei  24.0mm  $58.50

 kento nomi (registration chisel)

Disk Baren & Ategami

This high tech plastic baren was designed by the famous Japanese Relief Printmaker, Akira Kurosaki. The replaceable disc has tiny bumps on the surface that apply pressure evenly across the paper as you print. Unlike other substitutes for traditional baren, the dimpled face of the Disk Baren is hard and slightly convex so pulling prints takes less time and effort. When these bumps wear down after extended use, you can simply remove the old disc and press on a new one.  And for those who dread the thought of replacing a bamboo takenokawa (bamboo sheath), this baren doesn't have one!

The Baren comes with instructions and a sample of camellia oil, which is applied to the face of the baren so it will glide easily across the paper.  We recommend using ategami (backing paper), which acts as a barrier between the baren and your print paper to keep it clean and free of tears.

Disk Baren

A6035 $35.95

Replacement Disk

A6035R $11.50

Ategami

A6550 11.75 in x 32 ft (full roll) $30.00

A6551 11.75 in x 16 ft (half roll) $16.00