Ukiyo-e | Japanese art (2023)

FAQs

What is Japanese ukiyo-e art? ›

Ukiyo-e, often translated as "pictures of the floating world," refers to Japanese paintings and woodblock prints that originally depicted the cities' pleasure districts during the Edo Period, when the sensual attributes of life were encouraged amongst a tranquil existence under the peaceful rule of the Shoguns.

Characteristics of Ukiyo-e

Appreciated for its bright colour and decorativeness, its images frequently depicted a narrative, and included animals, birds and landscapes, as well as people from the lower social classes, like courtesans, sumo wrestlers and Kibuki actors.

ukiyo-e, (Japanese: “pictures of the floating world”) one of the most important genres of art of the Tokugawa period (1603–1867) in Japan.

Colorful ukiyo-e, with its bold contrasts of black and white, is full of a sense of freedom that is characterized by a peaceful and uneventful era that lasted for more than 260 years, and vividly portrayed the nature of the freehearted common people of the Edo era and what their social life was like at the time.

The word “ukiyo” refers to the world of people, and “e” means "picture." Ukiyo-e originally depicted the everyday life of people living in the city of Kyoto in the late sixteenth century. It became a popular art form in the Edo period (1603–1867), though, thanks partly to advances in woodblock printing techniques.

Typical subjects were female beauties ("bijin-ga"), kabuki actors ("yakusha-e"), and landscapes. The women depicted were most often courtesans and geisha at leisure, and promoted the entertainments to be found in the pleasure districts.

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, ukiyo-e began as hand-painted scrolls and screens of everyday life. Paintings often depicted popular recreations and entertainment, such as street dancing, cherry blossom viewing, and festivals, and beautiful women engaged in leisurely pursuits.

Ukiyo-e art which translates to English as “pictures from the floating world,” often focuses on the hedonistic aspect of Japanese life during the Edo period, and the beauty of the country's natural landscapes.

Some art scholars believe that Ukiyo-e woodblock prints and in particular, the Japanese print-maker, Hokusai, as the “father” of modern Western art. This Japanese art form had a huge influence on the Impressionism, Post-Impressionism & the Nouveau art movements.

During Japan's Edo period (1615–1868) the phrase "the floating world" (ukiyo) evoked an imagined universe of wit, stylishness, and extravagance—with overtones of naughtiness, hedonism, and transgression. Implicit was a contrast to the humdrum of everyday obligation.

What skill is the most needed to create Ukiyo-E? ›

In ukiyo-e, carving a face and hair required the most sophisticated skills, but a hanshita-e drawn by an eshi was only a rough sketch done in simple lines. Detailed carving, such as carving every single piece of hair, was solely dependent on the aesthetic sense and capability of the horishi.

Ukiyo-e were used to help children with their reading and to learn the names of birds and flowers. After Japan reopened its doors to the world after the Meiji Restoration in 1868, ukiyo-e prints showing the alphabet and basic English vocabulary also made an appearance.

Nihonga, a general term for traditional Japanese painting, means, literally, "Japanese painting". Now in common use, this term originated during the Meiji period, to distinguish Japanese painting from Western-style oil painting.

They use mountains with bold strokes as the focal point of their designs. The portrayal of women in Ukiyo-e paintings has also been an inspiration for several modern brands over the years. Even after such a long time, this proves that Ukiyo-e styles are still relevant.

During the early nineteenth century, Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) and Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) brought the art of ukiyo-e full circle, back to landscape views, often with a seasonal theme, that are among the masterpieces of world printmaking (JP1847).

The new floating world, designed as an escape from the constraints of daily life for male government servants, thrived on ephemeral experiences and suggested a kaleidoscope of enjoyable possibilities.

In Ukiyo-e, each image was created through the collaborative effort of four skilled individuals: the publisher who coordinated the efforts of the specialized artisans and marketed the artworks; the artist who designed the artworks and drew them in ink on paper; the carver who meticulously carved the designs into a ...

An Artist of the Floating World discusses several themes through the memories of the narrator, Masuji Ono. The analysis of these themes is facilitated through their transcendence of time, allowing the audience's rumination on Ono's experiences, permitting them to judge the narrative objectively.

Art Nouveau and New Inspirations

Transitioning into the Art Nouveau movement, Gustav Klimt too was inspired by ukiyo-e prints, the evidence of which is especially visible in the flat planes, intricate patterns and vivid colours of his works.

Ukiyo-e literally means 'pictures of the floating world'. The 'floating world' referred to the licensed brothel and theatre districts of Japan's major cities during the Edo period.

What is the importance of Japanese art? ›

Another pervasive characteristic of Japanese art is an understanding of the natural world as a source of spiritual insight and an instructive mirror of human emotion. An indigenous religious sensibility that long preceded Buddhism perceived that a spiritual realm was manifest in nature (see Shinto).

Katsushika Hokusai - The Great Wave off Kanagawa

Finally, The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai is probably the most recognizable Japanese painting ever made. It's actually the most prominent piece of art “made in Japan”.

The highly refined traditional arts of Japan include such forms as the tea ceremony, calligraphy, and ikebana (flower arranging) and gardening, as well as architecture, painting, and sculpture.

Art: In kawaii art, cuteness thrives. There are many genres of cuteness: guro-kawaii (grotesque cute), ero-kawaii (erotic cute), kimo-kawaii (creepy cute) and busu-kawaii (ugly cute). One of Japan's most famous kawaii artists is Takashi Murakami.

Ukiyo-e were used to help children with their reading and to learn the names of birds and flowers. After Japan reopened its doors to the world after the Meiji Restoration in 1868, ukiyo-e prints showing the alphabet and basic English vocabulary also made an appearance.

"Pictures of the floating world" Ukiyo-e defines and art movement of Japan's Tokugawa period (1603-1667). Ukiyo-e Blended the realistic narratives of traditional picture scrolls (Emaki) with influences from decorative arts.

During Japan's Edo period (1615–1868) the phrase "the floating world" (ukiyo) evoked an imagined universe of wit, stylishness, and extravagance—with overtones of naughtiness, hedonism, and transgression. Implicit was a contrast to the humdrum of everyday obligation.

Japanese art covers a wide range of art styles and media, including ancient pottery, sculpture, ink painting and calligraphy on silk and paper, ukiyo-e paintings and woodblock prints, ceramics, origami, and more recently manga which is modern Japanese cartoons and comics along with a myriad of other types.