Here stands a testament to the enduring power of print. The Ichigaya Letterpress Museum celebrates the history of letterpress printing. It also showcases the artistry of bookmaking.
The Ichigaya Letterpress Museum is a cultural facility. It was opened in November 2020. Dai Nippon Printing Co. operates it. Here, you can explore the techniques and cultural background of letterpress printing. You can also experience printing, bookbinding, and paper crafting.
Before it became the Ichigaya Letterpress Museum, this building had a different life. Constructed in 1926, it served as the company’s office until 2016. Employees affectionately called it “Clock Tower.”
In the 21st century, printing technology rapidly went digital. As the Ichigaya factory was redeveloped, large-scale machinery for mass printing of books and magazines was moved to a suburban factory. Along with this shift, the company decided to create a green space. It is called “Ichigaya no Mori.” They also wanted to repurpose the beloved “Clock Tower.” The building was transformed into a cultural facility. It was opened to the public. This symbolizes the legacy of printing and publishing.
Inside the Ichigaya Letterpress Museum, the first floor reveals the origins of printing. Here, you will find a recreation of a printing shop. It displays rows of letter cases called “umas.” The exhibit showcases the traditional printing process. It includes sketching characters. It also includes creating letter molds. Also showcased is casting type plus composing pages for printing and bookbinding.
Every day, craftsmen at the Ichigaya Letterpress Museum select type and operate the printing press. It offers a glimpse into the past. It shows a traditional printing landscape that is rarely seen today.
Letterpress printing involves many steps not found in today’s digital methods. One such step is “typesetting.” It is carefully selecting letters from the type case to match the original text. This painstaking work is part of the craftsman’s expertise. They memorize the letter arrangements. They quickly pick out letters while reading the text.
The Ichigaya Letterpress Museum uses the latest display technology. It combines old techniques with modern innovation. The facility uses interactive exhibits. These exhibits explain the tools used in printing and bookbinding. Visitors can match cubes to sensors. This reveals information on a monitor. It explains how to use the tools.
Visitors can also experience “typesetting.” They can search for letters in the type case. A transparent touch panel displays letters. Visitors find the matching characters in the case and touch the correct spot. It is a game-like activity.
The second floor of Ichigaya Letterpress Museum features exhibition rooms and workshops. The exhibition room hosts rotating exhibits. They relate to letterpress printing and bookmaking. These exhibits explore the process and techniques of bookmaking. They offer insights into how books and magazines are created.
The workshop allows visitors to experience printing and bookmaking firsthand. It is equipped with various machines. Tabletop letterpresses, risographs, and laser cutters are available. Visitors can create original printed materials. First-timers can easily create mementos. They can print cards or bind notebooks.
The Ichigaya Letterpress Museum also hosts printing and bookbinding workshops. Experts lead the workshops. They deepen the knowledge of printing and bookmaking.
The Ichigaya Letterpress Museum revives letterpress printing. This is an old printing technique. It combines it with the latest exhibition techniques. The Ichigaya Letterpress Museum preserves printing heritage for future generations.