Posted by Darrel on May 20, 1997 at 01:54:18:
In Reply to: Print Sizes posted by G. Yamazaki on May 19, 1997 at 23:14:24:
Oban is the standard print format, approximately 15" x 10" (38 cm x 25 cm), although the exact size tends to vary somewhat. Chuban is the typical small print size, about 10" x 7 1/2" (26 cm x 19 cm). Other common sizes are aiban -- approximately 13" x 9" (34.2 cm x 22.5 cm); hosoban -- approximately 13" x 5 5/8" (33 cm x 14.5 cm); large oban -- 22 3/4" x 12 1/2" (58 cm x 32 cm); hashira-e -- 28 3/4" x 4 3/4" (73 cm x 12 cm); and kakemono-e -- 30" x 9" (76.5 cm x 23 cm). Prints in Japanese picture books (ehon) tend to be smaller: obon -- 10 1/2" x 7 1/2" (27 cm x 19 cm); hanshi-bon -- 9" x 6 1/4" (23 cm x 16 cm); chubon -- 7" x 4 3/4" (18 cm x 12 cm); and yokobon -- 4 1/4" x 6 3/4" (11 cm x 17 cm). Obviously, a reproduction can be made in any size. I am aware of reproductions of Hiroshige prints, for example, made in Watanabe's studios in the mid-1930's that were as small as 72 mm x 51 mm (postcard size).
darrel@erols.com