Developed during the Edo period, ukiyo-e is a genre of woodblock prints whose distinctive compositions and vivid colors captivated the Impressionist painters of 19th-century Europe. Among the artists who created ukiyo-e, none left a greater mark than Katsushika Hokusai. Active in the late Edo period, Katsushika Hokusai was renowned for his bold compositions and expressive style, and is remembered as…
Ukiyo-e, traditional Japanese woodblock prints that vividly depict the daily lives and customs of Edo-period commoners, have today established themselves as highly regarded art worldwide. However, at the time, ukiyo-e circulated as publications, functioning as everyday items and becoming a familiar and beloved presence in the lives of Edo residents. From a medium rooted in ordinary life to an art…
Kyōsai Kawanabe (1831–1889) was an artist who flourished from the late Edo period into the Meiji era. Incorporating both ukiyo-e artwork (traditional Japanese woodblock paintings and prints) and Western painting styles, he was celebrated as a genius with “nothing he could not draw.” Thanks to the influence of cultural figures who knew Kyōsai personally, his broad range of styles and…
Located in Sumida, Tokyo, the “TOBACCO ＆ SALT MUSEUM” (referred to hereafter as “Tobacco & Salt Museum”) is, as its name suggests, a unique museum where visitors can learn about the history and culture of tobacco and salt. But that’s not all—the museum is also home to an impressive collection of ukiyo-e prints. These traditional woodblock prints from the Edo…
Nestled slightly away from the hustle and bustle of Shibuya and Harajuku, the Ota Memorial Museum of Art houses and exhibits a magnificent collection of ukiyo-e artwork (traditional Japanese woodblock paintings and prints) collected by the late businessman Seizō Ota V (1893-1977). The museum boasts one of the world’s largest ukiyo-e collections, featuring masterpieces by renowned artists such as Katsushika…