Featured Wrinkled Japanese print

I purchased this Japanese block print from a thrift store recently.
It is only tacked at the top of the print, so the paper hangs loose, as it should.
But at some point, it got a bit crushed.

I would like to relax or diminish the crushed area, if possible.

The only thing I saw online said to sandwich it with weights for as long as it takes.
Does anyone have a better idea?
Thanks in advance!

 

Can't help but wanted to make sure you were familiar with this online resource.

https://ukiyo-e.org/

Debora

 

Yes!
I have used that search resource several times!
It is really invaluable for finding obscure prints.
Thank you Debora!

I have loved Japanese block prints since I was a little kid. It's only now that I'm older that I've been actually finding some out there in the wild!
And it's such a thrill every time.

 

Humidification might be helpful in relaxing the fibers, followed by drying under weight. For a ukiyoe, you would want to choose a humdification method that does not use any direct application of moisture, to avoid any risk of the colors bleeding.

This article provides a good discussion of the various options for humidification and drying -

https://cool.culturalheritage.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/annual/v21/bpga21-15.pdf

 

creased........

 

Hmm I would use a dry mount press...without actually mounting it of course. Just using the heat and weight to flatten it. I have access to one though. If a diy press at home doesn't work you could try talking to a local framer about whether they would give it a go in-between some clean boards.

That said, Japanese paper tends to be pretty thin and receptive to weight flattening in my experience.

 

I would put it out there that the creasing I see here is too bad to fix properly..

 

You might be right. Perhaps I just have to live with it.

 

Wow, look at all those options! Thanks for this!
I will bookmark that page for future reference.

I am a little bit hesitant to apply moisture, in case the colors change. Granted, they are faded, but I wouldn't want to cause any adverse changes in the color.