Japanese Woodblock Print Search
Ukiyo-e.org offers an extraordinary searchable database of Japanese woodblock prints, leveraging computer vision to allow users to identify and explore similar artworks across vast collections by simply uploading an image. This impressive project, created by none other than jQuery's John Resig, combines historical art preservation with modern technology, earning widespread admiration for its utility and technical ingenuity. HN users are particularly thrilled by the practical application of image search to a niche art form and the revelation of its renowned developer.
The Lowdown
Ukiyo-e.org presents a meticulously curated digital archive dedicated to Japanese woodblock prints, offering an innovative platform for art enthusiasts and researchers alike. The site's core functionality revolves around its powerful search capabilities, allowing users to delve into a massive collection of prints.
- Image Search: Users can upload an image of a print to find similar artworks across various museum and university collections, streamlining identification and comparative study.
- Extensive Database: The platform currently indexes 223,891 prints, with promises of hundreds of thousands more, ensuring a comprehensive resource.
- Historical Context: The site categorizes prints by historical periods, from Early Ukiyo-e to Modern and Contemporary, providing valuable context for artistic evolution.
- Future Enhancements: The creator teases forthcoming improvements, including better data, more images, and enhanced search features.
This initiative stands out as a remarkable bridge between traditional art forms and cutting-edge technology, making the rich heritage of Ukiyo-e more accessible than ever before.
The Gossip
Resig's Revelation & Raving Reviews
The comments section quickly identified the site's creator as John Resig, the well-known developer behind jQuery, which sparked a wave of admiration and appreciation. Users praised the site's utility and the effort put into building such a valuable resource, frequently thanking Resig directly for his contribution to both art and technology. The discussion also highlighted how this project fits Resig's known passion for historical research and specialized data compilation.
Artistic Admiration & Additional Art Resources
Many commenters expressed deep personal appreciation for Japanese woodblock prints, sharing anecdotes about their own collections or favorite artists. The thread became a mini-forum for sharing related resources, including links to museums, specific artists (like Kawase Hasui or Shiro Kasamatsu), and even live streams or YouTube channels demonstrating the traditional woodblock printing process, fostering a sense of shared passion for the art form.
Tech Specs & Tomorrow's Treasures
John Resig himself elaborated on some technical aspects, mentioning the use of computer vision and TinEye for clustering prints, and linked to a previous Hacker News discussion with more technical details. He also revealed exciting plans for a new, more technically complex site focused on prints for sale from dealers and auctions, promising continuous updates and price comparison features, generating anticipation among users for his future projects.