When we usually think of the influence of Japanese woodblock art, the first thing that comes to mind would be how it influenced the artworks of esteemed European painters at the time, like Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, or Édouard Manet [4]. But did you know that the influence of the Edo period ukiyo-e, or …
From East to West: The Influence of Ukiyo-e on European Decorative Arts Read More »
Tattoos are complicated cultural symbols, simultaneously representing both belonging and non-conformity. [1] In Japan, tattoos have had a remarkably unique Journey, starting with the Edo period. Shaped by a long era of symbolizing shame and punishment these Japanese tattoo forms made it through history and are particularly popular now for their diverse colors. So let’s …
Irezumi: Tracing The History of Tattoos in Japanese Ukiyo-e Read More »
We’ve all known the famous Utagawa Hiroshige if we know anything about Japanese woodblock art. This master of ukiyo-e crafted several spectacular woodblock art pieces. And in particular, his vertical format series, The One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, comes close to no other. But did you know, that Utagawa Hiroshige was in fact not …
Utagawa School: Early Masters ofJapanese Woodblock Prints Read More »
Originally from ARTISTIC JAPAN (LE JAPON ARTISTIQUE): Siegfried Bing PUBLISHER Written by L. FALIZE and Published in the late 1890s for ARTISTIC JAPAN In approaching the Art of Japan, it is not my intention to touch upon its origin or its marvels, or to ascertain the laws upon which it is founded. A goldsmith myself, …
Nishiki-e is an Edo specialty unrivaled by other regions. Those prints that are gorgeously colored find fans of high status. They are admired throughout Japan. – Edo meisho zue (1834) [2] Nishiki-e – meaning “brocade paintings” in Japanese refers to an era of polychromatic prints that practically revolutionized how Japanese woodblock prints were made. Usually, …
Nishiki-e: A tale of the colorful world of Ukiyo-e Read More »
Bijin-ga – literally meaning “beautiful person picture”, is an art subgenre of ukiyo-e (What is Ukiyo-e? – see our Blog Article Here) that captures imagery of beautiful women, courtesans in particular [3]. So, basically vibrant colored kimonos, tied-up hair, and attractive expressions of the geishas and oirans of the Japanese culture are what this genre …
Bijin-ga Beauties: The Knockouts of the Floating World Read More »
Aka 赤 あか – the Japanese word for red is so much more than just a color in Japanese culture. From shrines to temples, and even the clothing of Shinto priests, everything has a touch of red to it. As a matter of fact, Japan’s national flag has a red sun right in the center …
Woodblock Red – The dominant color of Ukiyo-e and of Japan Read More »
If you’ve heard of Japanese woodblock art from the Edo period, you’ve probably heard about names like Utagawa Hiroshige for his woodblock print series 100 Famous Views of Edo, and Katsushika Hokusai for the series 36 Views of Mt. Fuji, Featuring the Great Wave Off Kanagawa. But there’s another bold ukiyo-e artist, way ahead of …
“[People in Edo period Japan (1603–1868)] … overcame many of the identical problems that confront us today—issues of energy, water, materials, food, and population—[and] forged from these considerable challenges a society that was conservation-minded, waste-free, well-housed and well-fed, and economically robust, and that has bequeathed to us admirable and enduring standards of design and beauty.” …
