This is a handcrafted linocut print inspired by an ancient Vietnamese folktale about an ocean dragon who falls in love with a mountain crane, and together they birth one hundred eggs that hatch into the Vietnamese people. The print includes a dragon, a crane, a nest of eggs, and some coastal wildlife.

SIZE: print size 12" x 17.5"; paper size 17" x 20.5"

MATERIALS: This is printed with archival quality Cranfield safewash (non-toxic) ink on traditional Japanese Awagami Select Hosho paper. Hosho is a handmade paper from Japan, a cultural treasure and time-honored heritage that has been handcrafted from natural materials for over a thousand years with a strict attention to quality and preservation. Hosho is made from the branches of the kozo, gampi and mitsumata, preserving the bush/tree, making it a more sustainable choice than other papers. It is acid-free and archival quality and has a rustic natural handmade feel with deckled edge and is slightly off-white. It is lightweight, and I use it primarily with my large prints which I barnish by hand.

STORY DETAILS:

This love story between Lạc Long Quân, the ocean dragon and Âu Cơ, the mountain crane and fairy, is indigenous to Vietnam and is one of many endearing folktales that make up Vietnam’s rich heritage of maritime folklore. Since the beginning of time storied landscapes have included in-between, magical places like coastlines or intertidal areas between land and sea, and these are often sites of transformation, thresholds between worlds, and are infused with magic. Scientists have a word for this in-between place: the ecotone, a transition area where two distinctive biological communities or ecosystems meet, intermingle, and integrate often characterized by rich biodiversity. The folktale of the dragon and the crane resembles, in synchronistic ways, this ecotonal enchanting landscape with the unusual romantic coupling between a creature with scales and a creature with feathers. The enduring wisdom of this story is about finding the hidden treasure that is birthed from unexpected connections, and when we choose to come together despite our differences.

COLOR OPTIONS:

This print is printed with Prussian Blue ink. Prussian Blue is a traditional color in Japanese Printmaking taking center-stage in 19th century Japan through the aizuri-e style of woodblock printing with indigo ink. However, Prussian Blue was found to be more lightfast and more rich in color. You may also request a custom color, it will take 3-5 days to print and dry before mailing.

GIFT SUGGESTIONS:

This is would be a wonderful piece of art for a dragon-lover, bird-lover, and/or coastal folklore lover, or someone who loves Asian folktale-inspired decor. It would make a great gift for a family that self-identifies with multiple religions, cultures or languages. It would also be a wonderful gift between and for couples who feel they have overcome their differences to be together and treasure the gifts that connection has offered them. This piece of art can be gifted to community centers, public libraries and educational institutions that value diversity of all kinds, and would welcome a piece of art that reminds everyone of the treasures that are birthed from these differences. Generally, this would appeal to anyone who values old-fashioned craftsmanship, and art that reminds us of our ancient kinship with the wild.

PACKAGING: This print will be carefully rolled in Kraft paper, packed in a recycled clear bag and shipped in a recycled cylindrical tube. A one-page insert including a description of the folktale is included with the print. Learn more about this shop’s sustainable packaging choices.

Free Shipping within the USA. Ships out within 1-3 business days.

Flat rate international shipping for $35.00

Questions? Please feel free to email diemdangers@gmail.com or contact me here. you will get a response within 24 hours.

Please note* the copyright of this work is retained by the artist.