Special Exhibition 'Worldwide Kappan' to be Held at Ichigaya Letterpress Factory
Key facts
- Special Exhibition 'Worldwide Kappan' to be Held at Ichigaya Letterpress Factory
- Dai Nippon Printing (DNP) will host a special exhibition showcasing letterpress studios from around the world to commemorate its 150th anniversary and the 5th anniversary of the Ichigaya Letterpress Factory. The event runs from June to October 2026.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: May 30, 2026
Direct answer
Dai Nippon Printing (DNP) will host a special exhibition showcasing letterpress studios from around the world to commemorate its 150th anniversary and the 5th anniversary of the Ichigaya Letterpress Factory. The event runs from June to October 2026.
- Citation
- Special Exhibition 'Worldwide Kappan' to be Held at Ichigaya Letterpress Factory (May 30, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- May 30, 2026
Dai Nippon Printing (DNP) will host a special exhibition showcasing letterpress studios from around the world to commemorate its 150th anniversary and the 5th anniversary of the Ichigaya Letterpress Factory. The event runs from June to October 2026.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 30, 2026 at 00:27
- 🔍 Collected: May 29, 2026 at 15:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 29, 2026 at 15:36 (3 min after Collected)
[About the Exhibition 'Worldwide Kappan']
In various parts of the world, there are still studios casting type, composing plates, and creating books. Many people are dedicated to carefully preserving precious equipment and passing it on to the next generation.
This exhibition introduces the people who sustain letterpress printing globally: foundries that continue to produce type, printing houses that set type character by character to produce books, and cultural facilities that transmit these techniques and knowledge to the future.
Letterpress printing using lead alloy type was established by Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany, in the mid-15th century and spread worldwide over time. It took until the 19th century for this technology to take root in Japan. The adoption and establishment of letterpress varied greatly depending on each country's language, characters, and existing printing culture. Even today, as letterpress is no longer the mainstream, activities to connect these techniques and facilities to the future continue.
In 2026, the Ichigaya Letterpress Factory celebrates its 5th anniversary, and DNP celebrates its 150th anniversary. Having started as a letterpress printing office in 1876, the company will guide visitors through the current state of global letterpress printing in this milestone year.
[Overview]
- Period: June 6 (Sat) – October 25 (Sun), 2026
- Venue: 2nd Floor Exhibition Room, Ichigaya Letterpress Factory (1-1-1 Ichigaya Kagacho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, within DNP)
- Hours: 10:00–18:00 (Closed Mon/Tue; open if holiday)
- Admission: Free
- Organizer: Ichigaya Letterpress Factory
[About Ichigaya Letterpress Factory]
This facility is a 'real factory' that partially reproduces a letterpress workplace, introducing the processes from font design to casting, printing, and binding. It features 'kinetic displays' of early Shōwa-era printing presses in operation and artisans at work, alongside workshops for hands-on crafting experiences.
FAQ
What are the dates and location of the 'Worldwide Letterpress Printing' exhibition?
The exhibition will be held from June 6, 2026 (Saturday) to October 25, 2026 (Sunday) at the 2nd floor exhibition room of 'Yoshikawa-no-mori Book and Typography Museum' in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
What is the admission fee for the exhibition?
Admission is free.
What is the background for hosting this exhibition?
The exhibition is held to commemorate the 150th anniversary of DNP (Dai Nippon Printing) and the 5th anniversary of the opening of 'Yoshikawa-no-mori Book and Typography Museum'.
What kind of content will be introduced in the exhibition?
The exhibition will introduce workshops and cultural facilities around the world that cast type and produce books, facilities that pass on the technology to the next generation, and the history of people involved in letterpress printing and its reception.
What kind of experiences can be had at 'Yoshikawa-no-mori Book and Typography Museum'?
In addition to introducing the letterpress printing process, there will be dynamic displays of printing machines from the early Showa period, public demonstrations of craftsmen's work, and workshops where visitors can experience the process of making items with letterpress printing.