Who was the intended audience of ukiyo-e prints?
Who was the intended audience of ukiyo e prints? The term literally means “pictures of the floating world,” and ukiyo-e images generally depict elements of urban commoner culture, especially kabuki actors, courtesans and other beautiful women, sumo wrestlers, and famous places around Edo and elsewhere.
What was the name of the Japanese woodblock prints?
Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e) Produced in their many thousands and hugely popular during the Edo period (1615 – 1868), these colourful woodblock prints, known as ukiyo-e, depicted scenes from everyday Japan. Ukiyo-e literally means ‘pictures of the floating world’.
When did the first woodblock prints come out?
Japanese woodblock prints date back as far as the eighth century B.C., and the long history of the tradition contributes to resonate with collectors today.
What’s the difference between woodblock printing and mokuhanga?
Although similar to woodcut in Western printmaking in some regards, the mokuhanga technique differs in that it uses water-based inks—as opposed to western woodcut, which often uses oil-based inks. The Japanese water-based inks provide a wide range of vivid colors, glazes, and transparency.
Where can I find the artist’s signature on a woodblock?
The easiest way to find the signature on a Japanese woodblock print is to find the artist’s seal or chop. The signature is usually the Japanese characters above the artistic seal. Here is some information about the artist’s signature:
How many woodblock prints are there in Japan?
Our Japanese woodblock print collections contain over 25,000 prints and related paintings, drawings and books, covering a wide range of common ukiyo-e themes, including ‘beauties’ and actors, landscapes, heroic and folk tales, and erotica.
Who are some famous Japanese woodblock artists?
We also stock Japanese woodblock prints by the following Ukiyo-e artists. Just click on the name to go direct to their individual page. Also, please view our More Ukiyo-e Artists page for prints by: Chikanobu, Hashimoto; Hirokage, Utagawa; Sharaku, Toshusai; Ogata, Gekko; Shosai, Ikkei; Shuntei, Miyagawa and others.
Japanese woodblock prints date back as far as the eighth century B.C., and the long history of the tradition contributes to resonate with collectors today.
When did ukiyo-e woodblock prints become popular?
Sumidagawa Bairyu Shinsho, woodblock print, Utagawa Kunisada, 1847, Japan. Museum no. E.6287:1-1886. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London The ukiyo-e style was developed in 1765 and remained popular until the closing decades of the Meiji period (1868 – 1912).
