Karazuri is the Japanese printing technique that creates a raised, embossed surface on an ukiyo-e print without ink.
The word is commonly translated as “empty printing” or “blind printing.” A carved block presses the paper into a recessed area, producing a relief effect without transferring colored pigment. The result can suggest fabric, hair, waves, or other textures through touch and reflected light.
Karazuri required careful control of paper dampness, pressure, and block carving. It is associated with the technical sophistication of deluxe prints, especially surimono, where printers and publishers could devote more resources to subtle surface effects.
Karazuri is different from bokashi, which is a gradated application of ink that creates a tonal transition. It is also different from mica printing, which adds shimmering particles to a printed area. These techniques may appear together in one design, but they produce different visual or tactile results.