François Pache
“Artist passionate about Japan”
I am François Pache, aka Japanese Linocut, a linocut artist based in France.
I have always been attracted to drawing, art and Japan. As a child, I used to draw for hours and look at Japanese illustrations and prints in books. I also started learning Japanese at the age of 7 as a self-taught student. A language that I now practice daily with as much pleasure as ever. The creation and the manual craft being my motivations at the time, I thus made my studies in a school of art where I learned during 6 years to use the various tools and supports and to control a multitude of techniques.
I had already had the opportunity to briefly do linocuts during my studies but it is only much later that I became interested in this technique again. I thought I could express my creativity and share my love for Japan at the same time. I enjoy every step of the traditional linocut process.
From sketching to carving to printing, each step is fascinating and requires meticulousness, calm and concentration. It reminds me once again of the Japanese craftsmanship that I particularly like. You have to feel the material, analyze the textures, listen to the sound of the ink to obtain the desired result. Despite this, each print has its own peculiarities and imperfections that make it unique. That’s what I like about it too, each print has its own story.
It is thus quite naturally that I created with my wife Japanese-linocut.com, where I sell my creations in limited edition and on request. My inspirations are obvious and come from my travels in Japan. When I am on site, I try to soak up the atmosphere of the places I visit, and try to reproduce them in linocuts. These creations full of experience have a lot of meanings for me and bring back emotions and sensations that I was nourished by when I was in Japan. Over the years, we have built strong ties with this country and our Japanese friends. We have had many rewarding experiences such as being a host family for Japanese students for a few years. More great opportunities to learn more about this culture that we are so passionate about.
My wife Sophie and I share the same love and passion for this magnificent country that is Japan and we also own a website on Japanese cuisine that we particularly like.
Sophie Pache
“Like François, I have always been attracted to art and Japan.”
We met during our studies in art school where I could also learn and master different drawing techniques that I will use on specific creations. During this creative period, we nurtured our project to travel to Japan and cultivated our love for this beautiful country. Being both students of art history as well, we took the opportunity to deepen our knowledge and broaden our influences. We are passionate about Japanese culture as a whole and are particularly interested in landscapes, Japanese art, architecture, textiles and tattoos…
After launching www.cuisine-japon.fr a few years ago and seeing how much people love the site, we wanted to share something more personal through our creations, so we decided to create Japanese Linocut together.
My role is to accompany François in his approach and his creativity. I will also be there to carefully pack each of her creations and to accompany you in your order and keep you informed of their evolution.
Do not hesitate to contact us for any other request such as a partnership, an estimate or a specific realization.
We label us
Our creations are proudly recognized by the Artisan d’Art label, testifying to our know-how and commitment to traditional craftsmanship. This label values the quality, authenticity and mastery of ancestral techniques that we place at the heart of each and every one of our creations.
Moreover, the Made in France label guarantees entirely local production, carried out with care and passion, respecting materials and traditions. These distinctions reflect our commitment to offering unique creations that are both rooted in tradition and adapted to contemporary needs.
Our linocut workshop
Events
You can find us throughout the year at various trade shows, exhibitions, and conventions in France, and occasionally in other countries. To find out about our upcoming dates and locations, check our news, which is updated regularly.
Projects and courses – 2026
- Linocut workshops in Lyon (France) – Tsukimi – Regular linocut courses for all levels
- First engraving session in Paris (France) – at Adeline Klam’s studio – Introduction to engraving and linocut techniques
Selected exhibitions – 2025
- Japan Expo, Paris (France)
- Idées Japon, Paris (France)
- Japan Touch, Lyon (France)
- Made In Asia, Brussels (Belgium)
- Kitchen Atelier Print at BMI, Épinal – Winner of the Art Printing category award
- Nuits Japonaises, Lille (France)
- Jardin Oriental, Maulévrier (France) – The largest Japanese garden in Europe
- Art to Play, Nantes (France) – Major cultural fair for art and pop culture
- JEMA – European Artistic Crafts Days, Pérouges (France) – Institutional and artistic exhibition
Collaborations and publications – 2025
- Contribution to the book “Quelque chose du Japon” – 2nd edition – Prints already created included in the book, Angelo di Genova, Nanika edition
- All engravings created exclusively for the book “Anthologie de la poésie japonaise” – published by Le Pot Cassé – Collector’s book
- Collaboration with Estelle Jaubert, painter – Creation of an exclusive print for her Edo tarot deck
- Collaboration on the book “Shuwa‑Shuwa 2” – Creation of an exclusive print, M&M&m&m edition
Selected exhibitions – 2024
- Jury selection – Salon d’Automne, engraving section, La Grande Halle de La Villette, Paris (France)
- Espace Japon, Paris (France)
- Idées Japon Salon, Paris (France)
- Japan Touch, Lyon (France)
- Art Cité Bourg, Bourg-en-Bresse (France)
- Shizen Market – the Japanese market, Paris (France)
Selected exhibitions – 2023
- Japanese Consulate Office, Lyon (France)
- Espace Lyon Japon, Lyon (France)
- Kamon Shoten, Japanese bookstore and café, Lyon (France)
- Tsukimi, manga bookstore and café, Lyon (France)
- Akinomé, bookstore and tea house, Paris (France)
- Jury Selection – Alinéa, Montpellier (France)
- Awagami International Miniature Print Exhibition, Tokushima (Japan)
- MUJI, Lyon Part-Dieu (France)
In the press
- Japan magazine
- Art and Color 365 Parution dans un magazine anglais “Summer 2023”
- Interview with Muteki, a radio station dedicated to Japanese music
- Interview with Guillaume, japactu.info, website about Japan
- Interview with Aralya, art magazine
- Article published in Journal du Japon
- about our linocut workshops with Japan Kudasai, Olivier
