Dave Myers - 30 Years of Collecting
Dave Myers is a long-time collector (30 years) whose passion for Japanese woodblock prints traces back to a moment of childhood discovery. Working as a quality inspector in the medical field, he brings a careful eye and patience to his collecting - qualities that have served him well over three decades. What began as a vivid early encounter with ukiyo-e has developed into a lifelong pursuit shaped by curiosity, instinct, and the thrill of unexpected finds.
Background
I started painting and drawing at the age of seven, and while many of my grandparents, aunts, and uncles collected antiques, no one in my family collected woodblock prints. When I was nine years old (around 1969), I was sitting on my front porch when a teenage neighbor invited me to visit a couple of antique shops in our small town.
In one of the shops, I saw two actor prints unlike anything I had ever encountered. They were the most spectacular works of art I had ever seen. Even the writing on the prints felt like art in its own right. Those images stayed with me, although I didn’t begin collecting seriously until my thirties.
Favorite artists
My tastes are wide-ranging and include artists such as Suzuki Harunobu, Tōshūsai Sharaku, Utagawa Hiroshige, Keisai Eisen, Toyohara Kunichika, Chōkōsai Eishō, Tsuchiya Koitsu, Uemura Shōen, and Oda Kazuma.
What appeals to you about collecting ukiyo-e?
My appreciation really goes back to that first experience as a child. Seeing those actor prints left a lasting impression on me - the energy, the design, and even the calligraphy were unlike anything I had seen before. That moment stayed with me for years and ultimately led me to start collecting later in life.
Advice for new collectors
I’m probably the last person to give advice, but many of my best finds have come from antique malls and small shops. For example, I once picked up two original 1857 Utagawa Hiroshige prints for $35 each - though the borders had been trimmed. Deals like that are still out there if you look carefully.
Closing thoughts
One useful tool I’ve found is Google Lens. It has helped me identify many works I previously knew nothing about, even when working from photos on a laptop. It’s not perfect and occasionally misattributes artists, but it can still be a very helpful starting point for research.
Favorite prints
Suzuki Harunobu, Jewel River
Oda Kazuma, Snow on the Bridge, Matsue
Utagawa Hiroshige, Evening Snow at Kanbara