Floating World: An Adult Coloring Book of Japanese Prints

I’m sure you’ve heard about the adult coloring book craze that sweeping the world by storm.  I thought it was a really neat idea, but most of the coloring books I’ve seen are floral patterns, which I’m not too interested in.  However, I’ve found the perfect coloring book for me, and anyone who has an interest in Japan or art: Floating World Japanese Prints Coloring Book is more than just a coloring book!

I received a copy of Floating World from Tuttle Publishing.  It’s new out this spring and its by-line is: Color your masterpiece and clear your mind.  I don’t know about you, but my mind has been very cluttered lately with new projects and tasks I’ve taken on, new programs I’m learning, homeschooling, year end accounting, and all of the regular thoughts and concerns of mommyhood.  I need some mind-clearing!

As I mentioned, Floating World is more than just a coloring boo.  Let me explain more….

The book starts with an introduction to Japanese woodblock prints that gives a brief history as well as how they’re created and how the process has evolved from simple black and white prints into multi-color prints and even its connection to manga.

When you see a woodblock print, there are various seals, signatures, and markings on them.  these are all explained as well – I have noticed these marks on prints, and now I know what they mean.  Fantastic!

There are 22 images for you to color.  Some are by the most famous artists Utagawa Hiroshige and Katsushika Hokusai, and others are by lesser-known by fabulous artists.  For each print you’ll get a page of information about the print, which has had me looking at them in new ways and seeing things I previously didn’t see.

Turn the page and you’ll see a large color version of the print with the artist title, and series information as well as the date of the original print.  On the right side of the page you have your own full-page black and white outline of the same print for you to color.

This outline version is a work of art of its own.  I’m fascinated by all of the intracacies of the print.  And how some simple (or more complex) outlines will transform into a finished piece of colored art is interesting.  It’s almost overwhelming on some, so I’m starting with the more ‘simplistic’ prints.

Many people use markers to color their books, but I’m going with water-color pencil crayons (this link, and some to follow may be affiliates) to give me better control over shading and texture.  I knew there was going to be a reason to have them (I purchased them at a great price although we didn’t need them at the time).

All of the pages are perforated so that you can easily tear them out of the book to hang them in a frame and create your very own artwork!  The kids may have to give up part of their diy gallery….but I hate to do that, so I will use my prints in a couple of frames around the house that don’t yet have pictures in them (I’m just a wee bit behind in my photo orders)!.

Tristan and Kallista want to color some of the prints…but I say, hands-off!  They have their own coloring books and Tuttle origami kits, this book is mine – all mine!

In fact I love it so much, I think I will order Mom a copy for Christmas (Mom, I hope you don’t see this).  Mom visited me while I was in Japan so I know she loves Japan and last year while she was visiting us she purchased an adult coloring book, a great combo and one less gift I need to think about 🙂

So if you have an interest in art, coloring, Japan, history and relaxing fun then I recommend you try Floating World!

If you’d like to know more or would like to follow Tuttle Publishing, you can connect  with them through their website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.

And if the adult coloring world is new to you, here are a few resources that might interest you (affiliate links):