Buying a print
Questions & answers
How the prints are made, how the edition numbers work, what shipping costs and what you are and are not buying. If something is not answered here, write to us.
Are these original prints by the artist?
Yes. Every print is an archival pigment print (giclée) made to order by a fine-art laboratory in Tokyo from Ikki Mitsuhashi's own master files, issued in a numbered limited edition and sold directly by the studio. There is no gallery in between. Each print travels with a bilingual, numbered certificate of authenticity.
What does the edition number mean?
It is the print's place in a finite edition — no. 102 of 150 means 150 prints of that picture will ever exist at that size, and yours is the 102nd. The numbering is continuous with the ledger the artist kept by hand in the 2000s: numbers already sold then are recorded and never reissued, so a print bought today continues the same edition rather than starting a new one. The M and XL sheets carry those historic editions; S and L are new editions of 50 beginning at no. 1.
Can I have the print signed by the artist?
Yes. A hand signature by Ikki Mitsuhashi is optional at checkout, costs ¥4,000 and adds about one week to the lead time. Unsigned prints carry no facsimile signature — they simply come with the same numbered certificate.
What paper are the prints made on?
Three cotton fine-art papers are offered on every print: Canson Edition Etching Rag (310gsm, matte, medium-rough), Hahnemühle German Etching (310gsm, matte, medium-rough) and Takeo Kakita (300gsm, smooth, warm white). Hahnemühle Photo Rag Ultra Smooth and Hahnemühle Torchon are available on request.
What sizes are available, and how is the image placed on the sheet?
Four: S (297 × 420 mm), M (364 × 515 mm), L (420 × 594 mm) and XL (18 × 24 in, 457 × 610 mm). Side margins are fixed per size — 20, 25, 30 and 35 mm — and the image is centred horizontally. The image is never cropped and never enlarged beyond its native size; top and bottom are balanced per picture, with a deeper lower margin reserved for the signature and edition number.
Do you ship outside Japan?
Yes, worldwide from Japan. Domestic orders arrive in about 7 days (10–14 days if signed); international orders in about 2 weeks (2–3 weeks if signed). Domestic shipping is free on two or more prints or orders over ¥55,000; international shipping is free on four or more prints or orders over ¥150,000. Any customs duty or import tax is the buyer's responsibility.
What currency am I charged in?
Japanese yen, always. Prices shown in US dollars or euros are estimates at the day's rate, for orientation only — your card is charged in JPY and your bank applies its own conversion.
Can I return a print?
Because every print is made to order and numbered to you, orders cannot be cancelled once shipped and prints cannot be returned for change of mind. If a print arrives damaged, tell us within one week of delivery and we will replace it. Full terms are on the Shipping & Returns page.
Does buying a print give me the right to reproduce the image?
No. All copyright remains with Ikki Mitsuhashi. Buying a print transfers no copyright and grants no licence to reproduce, publish or resell the image. For permissions or press enquiries, write to info@ikkimitsuhashi.com.
Who is Ikki Mitsuhashi?
A Japanese photographer, born 15 December 1943 in Tokyo. He graduated in commercial design from Musashino Art School in 1965 and joined the Nippon Design Center, was art director for Lufthansa German Airlines and for Kanebo cosmetics, then founded his own studio in 1972 and turned to photography, closing the design studio in 1980 to photograph full time. He published three photobooks: Star Man (1973), Long Long Long Beach (1982) and Elvis My Happiness (1994).
More detail: Shipping & Returns · 特定商取引法に基づく表記 · info@ikkimitsuhashi.com