The First International Nōsatsukai

Sekioka Mokuhan and Hōzuki Books are proud to announce the official launch of the International Nōsatsukai (納札会). Until now, nōsatsukai have been accessible only to those living in Japan, but from 2026 Sekioka Mokuhan and Hōzuki Books will officially host a nōsatsukai open to participants living outside of Japan. Three times a year participants will receive a mailed package containing a woodblock print or woodblock prints produced by Sekioka Mokuhan as well as a selection of single senshafuda offered by members who have commissioned prints. Twice a year these packages will contain woodblock prints that feature the names or pseudonyms of all participants; the remaining package will contain a simpler print (or prints) which may or may not include the names of all of the members. The themes of two of the prints will be selected by the organisers, while the theme of the remaining print will be selected from suggestions by members. Both one-year memberships and one-time (or, as we call it, single-kai) memberships are available and are detailed below.

What are nōsatsu (納札) or senshafuda (千社札)?

A growing interest in pilgrimages amongst Japanese people in the Edo period (1603-1868) provided the impetus for the production of a new type of woodblock-printed ephemera—senshafuda (also called nōsatsu). At the birth of this cultural practice, pilgrims pasted their senshafuda—slips of paper woodblock-printed in dark grey pigment with their name—on temple gates. As pilgrims encountered each other multiple times on the trail they came to exchange the printed slips like business cards. Around the same period, businesses started to print woodblocks with multiple colours. These businesses often commissioned colourful flyers and senshafuda, and colleagues had competitions over the best designs. The popularity of senshafuda and gatherings at which senshafuda were exchanged increased, and the first nōsatsukai were born.

What is the nōsatsukai (納札会)?

As of 2023, there were three nōsatsukai (lit. “nōsatsu meetings”) in Japan. The International Nōsatsukai will be the fourth active nōsatsukai, and the world’s first international association. In preparation for a typical nōsatsukai in Japan, members’ names (and typically an illustration) are cut in new woodblocks and printed. The prints are then distributed at the nōsatsukai together with senshafuda created by members, which may include congratulatory or consolation messages and designs. The January meeting in Tokyo is always lively, with people bringing hand towels and calendars for the New Year. In July, a memorial service is held for members who passed away during the year. Although the nōsatsukai members have different occupations, their common interest in senshafuda brings them together. The exchange of senshafuda is a fascinating tradition that continues to be passed down from generation to generation.

Image source: Kanagawa Shinba (1923). The History of Nōsatsukai (2nd ed.)

Registration for International Nōsatsukai placements for 2026 is now open. One hundred places will be available for the February 2026 nōsatsukai. This number will be raised for successive kai if the number of applicants is higher than expected. The theme of two of the kai will be chosen by the organisers. The theme of the remaining kai will be chosen from ideas submitted by members. The number of participants will determine the print run of each print. International Nōsatsukai prints will not be sold or given by the organisers to non-participants.

Payment must be received by the end of January for one-year memberships. For single-kai memberships, the payment for each kai must be received two months in advance of the relevant kai. Members will have the option of extending their membership at the end of their subscription. Membership costs may change in successive years as labour and material costs change. Please note that membership costs do not include the production of custom-made single senshafuda. The positions of members’ names in the prints will be determined by lottery.

To our knowledge, this will be the first international nōsatsukai in history. The nōsatsukai will provide members with the opportunity to share their love of Japanese woodblock prints by actively participating in the production of new artworks and supporting papermakers, calligraphers, carvers, printers, and artists involved in print production. The exchange of commissioned senshafuda—the core of all nōsatsukai—will also provide members with opportunities for networking and creative collaboration. We hope you join us in writing this new chapter in the history of senshafuda.

Nobuto Ogawa

Woodblock printer

Captivated by watching his grandfather print ukiyo-e, Nobuto pursued a career in woodblock printing himself, keeping the tradition alive in the process.

Erica Ward

Watercolor artist

Erica is a California-native watercolor artist living in Tokyo. She has long been inspired by Japanese designs and imagery, and her work is also influenced by her Tokyo environment.

Yuka Mekaru

Edo-moji calligrapher

Yuka first encountered Edo-moji through her love for rakugo (Japanese comic storytelling) and became intrigued by the style of Yose-moji.

Saeko Nagai

Woodblock cutter

Born in Tokyo Sumida, Saeko graduated from the Kyoto College of Traditional Crafts and studied under the third generation Sekioka Senrei. She currently has her own studio in her hometown.

In 2026 there will be three kai held by the International Nōsatsukai, in February, June, and October. For each of these kai, a packet of woodblock prints will be sent to members, and members will be invited to an online meeting at which information about the theme of the kai’s print will be provided and members can chat with the printer and artist. The print for one of these kai will be simpler than usual. For example, the print may be monochrome rather than coloured, and may not contain members’ names. The price for a one-year membership is US$650 from 2026 onwards, although this is subject to change in future years as material costs (pigments, washi paper, etc.) may fluctuate. If there is enough interest, members will be invited to attend a nōsatsukai in person held in Japan every three or four years. Both individuals and companies are welcome to become International Nōsatsukai members. The single-kai option is available for the February and October kai. Only one-year members will receive the prints produced for the June kai.

One-year membership of the International Nōsatsukai includes:

• Three packets of senshafuda (including a total of two or three woodblock-printed works featuring all members’ names).
• International (insured) shipping costs for the three packets of senshafuda.
• Triannual online meetings with the community and craftspeople.
• Access to an online database of previous International Nōsatsukai prints and other senshafuda in the Sekioka-Hōzuki Collection.
• An option to commission custom-made senshafuda (at extra cost).

One-year membership is available for US$650.

Single-kai membership of the International Nōsatsukai includes:

• One packet of senshafuda (including a total of one woodblock-printed work featuring all members’ names).
• International (insured) shipping costs.
• An option to commission custom-made senshafuda (at extra cost).

Single-kai membership is available for US$350. 

Updates about the International Nōsatsukai and 2026 registration will be sent by email. To subscribe to the mailing list and register your interest in participating in the International Nōsatsukai, please fill in the form below!