1.3 Japanese ukiyo-e prints

Japanese ukiyo-e prints emerged during the Edo period, capturing the vibrant urban culture of the time. These affordable, widely available artworks depicted scenes from kabuki theater, beautiful women, and everyday life, reflecting the tastes of the growing merchant class.

Ukiyo-e prints evolved from simple black ink outlines to complex, multi-colored designs. Artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige pushed the boundaries of the medium, creating iconic landscapes that would later inspire Western Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters.

Origins of ukiyo-e prints

• Ukiyo-e prints emerged as a distinct art form in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868), reflecting the tastes and interests of the growing urban middle class
• The term "ukiyo-e" translates to "pictures of the floating world," referring to the ephemeral pleasures and pastimes enjoyed by the merchant class in Edo (modern-day Tokyo)
• Ukiyo-e prints initially depicted scenes from kabuki theater, which was a popular form of entertainment among the urban population

Emergence in Edo period Japan

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• The Edo period was characterized by a strict social hierarchy, with the samurai class at the top and the merchant class at the bottom
• Despite their low social status, merchants became increasingly wealthy and influential, creating a demand for art and entertainment that catered to their tastes
• Ukiyo-e prints were relatively affordable and widely available, making them accessible to a broad audience

Influence of kabuki theater and courtesans

• Kabuki theater, with its elaborate costumes, dramatic performances, and celebrity actors, provided a rich source of subject matter for early ukiyo-e prints
• Portraits of famous kabuki actors, known as yakusha-e, were highly sought after by fans and collectors
• Ukiyo-e prints also depicted beautiful women (bijin-ga), often courtesans from the pleasure districts or geisha skilled in arts and entertainment

Evolution of techniques and styles

• Ukiyo-e prints initially featured black ink outlines with hand-applied colors, but eventually evolved to incorporate multiple carved woodblocks for each color
• The development of the full-color nishiki-e technique in the 1760s allowed for more complex designs and a wider range of colors
• Over time, ukiyo-e artists experimented with various styles, compositions, and subject matter, pushing the boundaries of the medium

Ukiyo-e artists and their works

Hishikawa Moronobu's pioneering prints

• Hishikawa Moronobu (1618-1694) is considered one of the pioneers of ukiyo-e, known for his early monochromatic prints and illustrated books
• He established many of the conventions of ukiyo-e, such as the use of strong outlines, flat color planes, and asymmetrical compositions
• Moronobu's works often depicted scenes from everyday life, kabuki theater, and the pleasure quarters

Kitagawa Utamaro's bijin-ga (beautiful women)

• Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806) was renowned for his elegant and refined portraits of beautiful women (bijin-ga)
• He captured the beauty and allure of courtesans and geisha, often focusing on their facial expressions and intricate hairstyles
• Utamaro's masterpiece, the "Three Beauties of the Present Day," is considered one of the finest examples of bijin-ga

Toshusai Sharaku's kabuki actor portraits

• Toshusai Sharaku (active 1794-1795) is famous for his intense and expressive portraits of kabuki actors
• Despite his short career, Sharaku's prints are highly regarded for their psychological depth and bold, exaggerated features
• His unique style captured the essence of the characters portrayed by the actors, rather than simply depicting their likenesses

Katsushika Hokusai's Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji

• Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) is one of the most famous ukiyo-e artists, known for his landscape series "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji"
• This series, which actually consists of 46 prints, depicts Mount Fuji from various perspectives and in different seasons and weather conditions
• The most iconic print from the series, "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," is recognized worldwide and has become a symbol of Japanese art

Utagawa Hiroshige's landscape prints

• Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) is another celebrated ukiyo-e landscape artist, known for his series "The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" and "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo"
• Hiroshige's prints are characterized by their serene beauty, atmospheric effects, and masterful use of color and composition
• His landscapes often depict famous travel destinations, such as the Tokaido road connecting Edo and Kyoto, and the scenic spots of Edo

Artistic elements of ukiyo-e

Flat planes of color vs gradations

• Ukiyo-e prints are characterized by their use of flat planes of color, rather than the gradual shading and modeling used in Western art
• This flatness of color contributes to the bold, graphic quality of ukiyo-e prints
• In some cases, ukiyo-e artists employed gradations of color, such as in the subtle shading of fabric or the blending of colors in landscapes

Decorative patterns and motifs

• Ukiyo-e prints often incorporate intricate patterns and motifs, such as kimono designs, floral patterns, and geometric shapes
• These decorative elements add visual interest and complexity to the compositions
• The use of patterns and motifs also reflects the Japanese aesthetic preference for flat, stylized designs

Compositional techniques and asymmetry

• Ukiyo-e artists often employed asymmetrical compositions, with the main subject placed off-center or partially cut off by the frame
• This asymmetry creates a sense of dynamism and movement in the prints
• Other compositional techniques include the use of diagonal lines, overlapping forms, and negative space to guide the viewer's eye through the image

Use of line and calligraphic brushstrokes

• The use of bold, expressive lines is a hallmark of ukiyo-e prints
• Artists used calligraphic brushstrokes to create the outlines of figures and forms, conveying a sense of energy and spontaneity
• The quality of the line work ranges from delicate and refined to rough and energetic, depending on the artist and subject matter

Limited color palettes and color symbolism

• Ukiyo-e prints typically feature a limited color palette, with each print using a specific set of colors chosen for their aesthetic and symbolic qualities
• Common colors include black, blue, green, red, yellow, and purple, each with its own cultural associations and meanings
• For example, red might symbolize passion or heroism, while blue could represent tranquility or melancholy

Ukiyo-e printmaking process

Collaboration of artists, carvers and printers

• The creation of ukiyo-e prints was a collaborative process involving the artist, carver, printer, and publisher
• The artist would create the original design, which was then transferred to a keyblock by a skilled carver
• The printer would then use the carved blocks to create the final prints, with the publisher overseeing the production and distribution process

Keyblock line drawings and registration marks

• The first step in creating an ukiyo-e print was to carve the keyblock, which contained the black outlines of the design
• The artist's drawing would be pasted face-down on a block of cherry wood, and the carver would carefully cut away the negative space around the lines
• Registration marks were also carved into the keyblock to ensure proper alignment of the color blocks during printing

Carving and inking of multiple color blocks

• For each color in the print, a separate woodblock was carved based on the keyblock design
• The carver would carefully remove the areas of the block that were not meant to be printed in that particular color
• Each color block would then be inked with water-based pigments, using brushes to apply the ink evenly

Hand-printing using baren and rice paste

• To create the final print, the printer would place a sheet of damp paper on top of the inked woodblock and rub the back of the paper with a baren, a traditional hand-printing tool
• The baren, made from bamboo sheath and coiled cord, would be used to apply pressure and transfer the ink from the block to the paper
• A small amount of rice paste would be used to help the pigments adhere to the paper and prevent bleeding

Production of print editions and variations

• Ukiyo-e prints were typically produced in editions, with the number of prints in an edition varying depending on the popularity of the design
• Print editions could range from a few dozen to several thousand impressions
• Variations in color, shading, and other details could occur between different editions or even within the same edition, due to the handmade nature of the process

Themes and subjects in ukiyo-e

Depictions of "floating world" pleasures

• Ukiyo-e prints often depicted the pleasures and pastimes of the "floating world," or the urban entertainment districts of Edo
• These pleasures included kabuki theater, courtesans, geisha, tea houses, and festivals
• The term "floating world" (ukiyo) originally referred to the Buddhist concept of the transient nature of life, but came to be associated with the ephemeral delights of Edo's pleasure quarters

Beautiful women (bijin-ga) as courtesans and geisha

• One of the most popular genres of ukiyo-e was bijin-ga, or pictures of beautiful women
• These prints often depicted courtesans from the Yoshiwara pleasure district or geisha, who were skilled in arts such as music, dance, and conversation
• Bijin-ga prints showcased the latest fashions, hairstyles, and beauty standards of the time, and were often idealized representations of feminine beauty

Celebrated kabuki actors and their roles

• Yakusha-e, or pictures of kabuki actors, were another popular subject in ukiyo-e prints
• These prints depicted famous actors in their signature roles, often capturing dramatic moments from the plays
• Kabuki actors were celebrities in Edo-period Japan, and their portraits were collected by fans and admirers

Famous landscapes and travel destinations

• Landscape prints, known as fukei-ga, became increasingly popular in the 19th century, with artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige creating iconic series depicting famous views and travel destinations
• These prints often featured well-known landmarks, such as Mount Fuji, the Tokaido road, and the scenic spots of Edo
• Landscape prints catered to the growing interest in travel and tourism among the urban population

Nature, seasons and poetic allusions

• Ukiyo-e prints frequently incorporated elements of nature, such as flowers, birds, and seasonal motifs
• These natural elements often carried symbolic meanings and poetic allusions, reflecting the Japanese appreciation for the beauty and transience of the natural world
• For example, cherry blossoms might symbolize the fleeting nature of life, while maple leaves could represent the melancholy of autumn

Western reception of ukiyo-e

"Japan craze" and world's fairs in Europe

• In the mid-19th century, Japan opened its ports to international trade after centuries of isolation, leading to a surge of interest in Japanese art and culture in the West
• This fascination, known as the "Japan craze" or Japonisme, was fueled by the displays of Japanese art at world's fairs, such as the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle
• Ukiyo-e prints were among the most popular and influential Japanese art forms to capture the imagination of Western audiences

Collecting of prints by Impressionist artists

• Many European artists, particularly those associated with the Impressionist movement, became avid collectors of ukiyo-e prints
• Artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Vincent van Gogh were drawn to the bold compositions, flat color planes, and unconventional perspectives of ukiyo-e
• These artists often incorporated elements of ukiyo-e aesthetics into their own work, such as the use of diagonal lines, cropped compositions, and decorative patterns

Formal influence on Impressionist compositions

• The compositional techniques of ukiyo-e prints had a significant impact on the development of Impressionist painting
• Impressionist artists adopted the asymmetrical compositions, high vantage points, and truncated forms seen in ukiyo-e, creating a sense of immediacy and spontaneity in their work
• The flattening of space and emphasis on pattern and design in ukiyo-e also influenced the Impressionists' approach to painting

Inspiration for Post-Impressionist color palettes

• The bold, expressive colors of ukiyo-e prints also inspired the color palettes of Post-Impressionist artists like Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin
• These artists were drawn to the vibrant, non-naturalistic colors used in ukiyo-e, and incorporated similar color schemes into their own paintings
• The use of color as an emotional and symbolic tool, rather than as a means of realistic representation, was a key aspect of Post-Impressionist art that can be traced back to the influence of ukiyo-e

Japonisme aesthetic in decorative arts

• The influence of ukiyo-e extended beyond painting and into the decorative arts, as part of the broader Japonisme aesthetic
• Western designers and craftsmen incorporated Japanese motifs, patterns, and design principles into a wide range of objects, including textiles, ceramics, furniture, and graphic design
• The flat, stylized designs and asymmetrical compositions of ukiyo-e were particularly well-suited to adaptation in the decorative arts

Ukiyo-e's legacy and impact

Preservation of Edo period art and culture

• Ukiyo-e prints serve as a valuable record of the art, culture, and daily life of Edo-period Japan
• These prints provide insight into the fashions, entertainments, and social mores of the time, as well as the artistic tastes and techniques of the period
• The widespread popularity and production of ukiyo-e prints ensured that this important aspect of Japanese cultural heritage was preserved and disseminated

Key role in Western discovery of Japanese art

• Ukiyo-e prints played a crucial role in introducing Japanese art to Western audiences in the 19th century
• The arrival of ukiyo-e prints in Europe and America sparked a fascination with Japanese aesthetics and culture, leading to the Japonisme movement
• This exposure to Japanese art had a profound impact on the development of Western modern art, particularly in the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist periods

Lasting influence on modern graphic design

• The bold, graphic style and compositional techniques of ukiyo-e have had a lasting influence on modern graphic design
• The use of flat color planes, strong outlines, and asymmetrical layouts in ukiyo-e anticipated the aesthetics of modern poster design, illustration, and branding
• Many contemporary graphic designers and illustrators continue to draw inspiration from the visual language and principles of ukiyo-e

Appreciation and scholarship of ukiyo-e today

• Today, ukiyo-e prints are highly valued and collected by museums, galleries, and private collectors around the world
• Scholars and art historians continue to study ukiyo-e, exploring its techniques, themes, and cultural context, as well as its impact on global art history
• Exhibitions, publications, and educational programs dedicated to ukiyo-e help to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of this unique and influential art form