Selection of Japanese Ukiyo-e art. A genre of art that flourished in 17th-19th century Japan. Click to expand the images and scroll view !
Hidden erotism in Ukiyo-e
Erotism in Ukiyo-e art is hidden. Look at the neckline or the curves of the women’s bodies covered by their kimonos. Erotic yet not blatant.
“Woman with Battledore and Shuttlecock”. Authored by Torii Kiyotomo (1645–1702). He was a kabuki actor and painter of billboards and other kabuki advertisements; the founder of theTorii School of artists and painted in an early form of what came to be known as the Ukiyo-e style.
Ukiyo-e of a lady. The author is Ukiyo-e master Kitagawa Utamaro (1753 –1806). He was a Japanese Ukiyo-e artist and is best known for his bijin okubi-e (pictures of beautiful women and necks) in the 1790s. He also produced nature studies, particularly illustrated books of insects.
“The comb”. The author is Ukiyo-e master Kitagawa Utamaro (1753 –1806).
Groups of women in Ukiyo-e
Japanese women move and play in groups. Look at the images below. Groups of women doing something together. This was true even in 17th-19th century and it is a national trait that lives on to this day. In contrast, westerners are more individualistic.
Beautiful Women at a Yashiki (Japanese Manor). By Chōbunsai Eishi (1756–1829).
“The three beauties” (Tôji san bijin) Ukiyo-e. By Kitagawa Utamaro (1753 –1806).
Women on a cherry blossom outing. Flowers from the series “Ukiyo setsugekka Snow, Moon, and Flowers” in the Floating World. By Katsukawa Shunchō (1783–1798)).
Flowers in Ukiyo-e art
Poppies. By famous Ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849).
Morning glory. By Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 – 1858). He is regarded as the last great Ukiyo-e master. His s work had a marked influence on western European painting as a part of the trend in Japonism.
Three women and a man having a small tea party beneath blossoming cherry trees. From the series Jūnikagetsu (meaning twelve months). Attributed to Kitao Shigemasa (1739 – 1820) who was a leading Ukiyo-e master.
Telling tales in Ukiyo-e
From the ukiyo-e print album “Genji 54 jō”. By Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865). This is a scene in “The tale of Genji” written by Murasaki Shikibu a female author and poet from the mid-Heian period in Japan. The exact date of her birth and death is unknown but born around 979 and died around 1016.
A ninja and Prince Hikaru Genji. Another scene from “The tale of Genji”. By Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865).
Famous Japanese Poet Matsuo Bashō meeting two farmers celebrating the mid-autumn moon festival. From Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839 – 1892), the last great Ukiyo-e master’s “Hundred Aspects of the Moon” series. The haiku (Japanese poem by Bashō) reads: “Since the crescent moon, I have been waiting for tonight.”
Landscape in Ukiyo-e art
One of a series of 36 views of Mt. Fuji by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), a famous Ukiyo-e master who influenced western painters Gogh and Monet. In this work Mt Fuji is viewed from Mt. Shikano situated in Boso peninsula, Japan.
This is an image of Shin-Yokohama Street, Japan in the Edo period (around 1860) seen from Aratama bridge.The sea on the left is Kita-Saiwai and Minami-Saiwai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama. The author of this Ukiyo-e is Sadahide Utagawa (1807 – 1879).
Field in Owari province Japan. By Ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849).
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Notes
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