Measurements

Measurements are recorded in millimeters and in inches whenever sales catalogues provide them.  Dimensions record the image sizes, or in the case of intaglio prints, the boundaries of the platemark.  With "tondo" (circular or oblong) prints, the diameter size in inches and millimeters is listed.  Japanese print dimensions are often cited by the descriptive Japanese word, as follows:

JAPANESE PRINT SIZES

Name Inches Millimeters  

Aiban 13 ¼ x 8 ¾  343 x 222  

Chuban 10 ¼ x 7 ½  260 x 191  

Dai Oban 15 ½ x 11 ¾  394 x 298  

Hashire-e 27 ½ x 4 ¾ 699 x 121  

       to         to  

29 ½ x 6 749 x 152  

Hosoban 13 x 5 ¾ 330 x 146  

Kakemono-e 29 ½  x  10 749 x 254  

Kakuban 8 x 7 203 x 178  

Koban 9 x 6 ¾ 229 x 179  

Nagaban 19 ¾ x 9 502 x 229  

Oban Tate 15 x 10 381 x 254  

Oban Yoko 10 x 15 254 x 381  

Tanzaku 15 x 5 381 x 127  

       to         to  

15 x 6 ¾ 381 x 170  

Uchiwa-e 9 x 10 229 x 254  

Yatsugiri-ban 3 ¾ x 5 95 x 127  

Tanzaku was used for either O.Tanzaku or Chu-Tanzaku.  Each is a vertical print with Chu-Tanzaku smaller in length and O-Tanzaku greater in length.  Tate is a vertical format; Yoko is a horizontal print; Uchiwa-e is a fan-shaped format; and Kakemono-e is often referred to as a pillar print.