The moment i will always remember Kubota-san as the pinnacle of what a craftsman is the moment in one of the streams in which dave was showing some very very intricate printings. At that moment Dave said that Kubota-san is the only one of mokuhankan printers that could still print at that level. After that someone joked in the chat that Kubota-san could not print this and watch his tv shows. I hope one day i can be as good at my job as Kubota-san was a printer.

Kubota-san, thank you for giving us such high quality prints at almost perfection levels while staying so humble and keeping the traditional printer's techniques alive with Mokuhankan's beautiful designs.

Kubota-san, Starting from your Hokusai's Great Wave print and ending with your Atelier Sento's Galaxy print - and then including all those in between, such as for the Ukiyo-e Heroes and the Hokusai Reborn series - for me it is a great pride and joy to have the designs you printed for David Bull's Mokuhankan in my collection. Best regards, Jacques Commandeur Leiden, the Netherlands

Dear Kubota-san and family,

My name is Haaken Abernathey, messaging you from the Netherlands. I am so saddened to hear of your illness. It has always been such a pleasure to see your beautiful work on display on Dave's live streams and in the Mokuhankan shop. I am also extremely proud to have some of your work in my possession, having bought a copy of 'Sushi Cats' printed by you! It is incredibly beautiful, and as a printmaker myself I find myself regularly looking at it in detail, admiring and trying to learn from your handiwork. I you are a huge inspiration through your work and I can only hope to become half the incredible craftsman you are.

Sending love and the highest regards from The Netherlands to you, your family, and acquaintances.

Sincerely, Haaken Abernathey

Kubota-san, I've been having and will for quite some time more the pleasure of having Dave receive your prints on the Twitch live-streams and recordings. I play them while working on my own, to have somebody beside me sharing in doing their work. I always take the time and stop what I am doing to take in your beatiful craftsmanship and how it impacts all the viewers through the live chat. I've not had the pleasure to have one of your physical prints in hand, but one can dream! - Marius from Munich in Germany

From Crystal Lake, Illinois U.S. to everyone in the Mokuhankan community, may Kubota-san's memory be a blessing. Dave, meeting you in person in September last year is a treasured memory of my first trip outside the U.S. and I plan on visiting again. I just finished carving my first woodblock and preparing for my first printing, so hearing this news is awful. Thank you for sharing this craftsman's incredible work. "To work at such an incredibly high level, so consistently, for such a long time, and without any 'ego' getting in the way ... this is a huge accomplishment, the kind of thing that few of the rest of us can ever understand, let alone replicate." I could not say it better myself. spengel67

I have enjoyed the exquisite printing skill of yours on many prints you made for Mokuhankan. We will remember you. Thank you.

Nageswari

Your work will always be inspiring for me. A reference of how a woodblock print should be printed! You'll be in my mind when I print.

Thank you from Zaragoza, Spain. Marta.

I only know you through Dave's stories and there's only one thing I can say: thank you. Just... thank you.

Great art requires great craftsmanship Great craftsmanship requires great craftsmen. In the work you have produced that shines like a bright mirror /Robin

Dear Kubota, your work is on display in my living room in Berlin. Dave put your name on it and I am grateful for it. You are a modest man and this modesty is inspiring in today’s boastful world - more than you can know. Thank you.

Carl

Kubota-san: I don't own many Mokuhankan prints, but three of the ones I do have been printed by you. I know that for you, and for so many craftsmen of your era, that doesn't matter - but it does for me. Your decades of experience is something that is Tangible, Meaningful, and Awe-Inspiring. I bought a specific print "Stork in Rain" because I saw the results of your printing on Dave's Twitch stream. Similarly, when I found out that you would be the one to print my batch of Patreon chibi prints, I was so over the moon. And when I got the prints in my hands and felt them, I was filled with so much joy.

Kubota-san, thank you so much for your craft. Seeing your consistently excellent work through Dave's streams has been such a joy for me. I will treasure it so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

- Mika

Hello from Vancouver Island, Canada! Thank you for helping to carry your craft forward to the next generation! The world contains a little more beauty and peace thanks to your work as a printer.

- I didn't know you personally...but I'm grateful for your skill and talent. And I'm thankful that you shared it with us.

- I hope you know how much Dave and so many other people are grateful for your abilities.

Now, rest easy my friend.

- Shane Wood

My introduction to woodblock prints was through Dave, and he was my introduction to your work. Very blessed to have seen it and hopefully it gives you comfort to know your work will continue to bless every person who sees it for many years to come.

I have worked in commercial printing for almost 20 years and have been interested in Japanese art and culture for most of my life. I currently operate a printing machine that costs one million US dollars. That thing is just a printer. What you have accomplished is without any doubt priceless. Thank you for all you have done and for your support of Mokuhankan, a place that truly cherishes the legacy of Japanese woodblock printmaking and has spread so much joy to the entire world through the amazing prints you have made.

Kubota san, I have been collecting Dave's prints for a long time now, and have been active in his live stream from the beginning. All of the viewers have seen Dave's happy reaction every time he has opened a new set of prints from you.

We appreciate the craftsmanship that has become routine for you, just doing your job. You have created these prints that so many people all over the world treasure. We thank you for your dedication and hard work. You will be remembered.

The world needs more craftsmen like yourself. Even though our work is very different I hope to one day be as good at my craft as you are at yours.

Mike from Toronto

Kubota-san, you are inspiring, even all the way over in Michigan, USA. Thank you for your craftsmanship.

- Dustin

Dear Mr. Kubota,

As someone from The Netherlands, I was able to discover the great art of Japanese woodblock printmaking from the other side of the world through your work. I have acquired several prints by your hand and love each one. You have inspired my wife and me to love the art form and have grown a love for Japan along with it. Without you, we wouldn't have travelled to Japan like we did laat October. My wife is now pregnant with our first child, whom we will show and tell about your work and our admiration for your work and your country. Thank you for bringing this art and the joy it brings into our lives.

Yours sincerely, Remy Storm