Even those familiar with the traditional clamp resist technique (known in Japan as itajime) were astounded with the possible variations that Professor Ohashi presented. One variation on itajime involves cutting a space out of the resist block. In the past this technique was refined to the point where up to 40 individual blocks (each about 12 x 16 inches) were carved to create either repeating imagery or figurative work. Through his own research Ohashi determined that historic blocks were made from a very particular type of pine tree. He was able to locate a stand and in his words he "purchased a tree." The image below shows the itajime boards that he created from this tree and the resulting print. He also exhibited historic boards that were used in Japan during the Edo period. It was the first time that these rare objects have left Japan. 

Itajime boards are used in a manner which is the exact opposite of blockprinting. The higher areas do not carry colour, rather they create a physical resist. The dye pools into the "rooms" that have been carved out and contacts the cloth in these open spaces.