David Bowie, who passed away in 2016, had a very special connection – some may even call it a “love affair” – with Japan. He originally developed his affinity after taking an interest in Kabuki and was heavily influenced by the exaggerated gestures, costumes and make-up. He later went on to work with fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto on many iconic costumes, as well as with musicians like Tomoyasu Hotei and the filmmaker Nagisa Oshima. In a sense, the love affair has come full circle and now a project has been announced to immortalize David Bowie in the form of ukiyo-e woodblock prints that depict Bowie in elements of kabuki.
![](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/David-Bowie-Woodblock-Print-aladdin-sane.jpg)
inspired by Brian Duffy’s photograph of Bowie for the cover of “Aladdin Sane” (1973), this ukiyo-e print imagines Bowie as Kidomaru, a fictitious snake charmer from the Kamakura period
Two unique prints were announced last month from Ukiyo-e Project, an organization that creates contemporary Ukiyo-e based on elements of pop culture. Each of the prints are inspired by iconic photo shoots of Bowie, which have been translated to woodblock print by ukiyo-e artist Masumi Ishikawa.
One of these is inspired by Brian Duffy’s photograph of a bare-chested Bowie with a red lightning bolt scrawled across his face the cover of “Aladdin Sane” (1973). For the ukiyo-e print, the artist imagines Bowie as Kidomaru, a fictitious snake charmer from the Kamakura period.
The second print was inspired by Terry O’Neill’s “Diamond Dogs” promotional photograph (1974) in which Bowie is posing with a large barking dog. For this ukiyo-e print the artist imagines Bowie as Takezawa Toji, a magician and entertainer who was often depicted by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.
![](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/David-Bowie-Woodblock-Print-inspiration.jpg)
left: David Bowie, Aladdin Sane, Eyes Open, 1973© Courtesy of the Duffy Archive | right: Terry O’Neill – David Bowie Diamond Dogs, 1974 © Courtesy Mouche Gallery
The prints will be on display, and available for sale (priced at 100,000 yen) at the Marc Jacobs-owned BOOKMARC in Omotesando from June 23 – July 1, 2018. The final prints will be displayed alongside photos of David Bowie, as well as other materials that show the process of creating the woodblock prints.
![](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/David-Bowie-Woodblock-Print-diamond-dogs.jpg)
inspired by Terry O’Neill’s “Diamond Dogs,” this ukiyo-e print imagines Bowie as Takezawa Toji, a magician and entertainer who was often depicted by Utagawa Kuniyoshi
June 10, 2018 at 1:54 pm
What a wonderful way to keep the Bowie legend in our hearts and minds