Weekend Stories
I enjoy going exploring on weekends (mostly). Here is a collection of stories and photos I gather along the way.
diary · tags · RSS · Mastodon · flickr · simple view · grid view · page 2/8
Ohara Koson: Master of kacho-e
Among the most famous Shin Hanga artist, Ohara Koson is celebrated for his exquisite kacho-e prints, which depict birds, flowers, and other elements of nature with a delicate and refined touch. His work is characterized by a meticulous attention to detail, a deep sensitivity to the beauty of the natural world, and a mastery of color and composition.
Natori Shunsen: The master of Shin Hanga kabuki portraits
Natori Shunsen (1886-1960) was another prominent artist of the Shin Hanga movement, known for his vibrant and dynamic portraits of kabuki actors. His work captures the essence of the kabuki theater, showcasing the dramatic intensity and intricate costumes of the performers. Here, we briefly explore the life and art of Natori Shunsen, highlighting his unique style and lasting impact on Japanese art.
Miki Suizan: The subtle art of Shin Hanga elegance
Miki Suizan (1887-1957) was a prominent artist of the Shin Hanga movement, known for his serene and understated prints that captured the quiet beauty of traditional Japanese life. Suizan’s work is celebrated for its delicate lines, soft color palette, and focus on mood and atmosphere, reflecting a deep connection to traditional Japanese aesthetics.
Kobayakawa Kiyoshi: Elegance in modern bijin-ga
Kobayakawa Kiyoshi (1899–1948) was a prominent artist of the Shin Hanga movement, known for his elegant and modern bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women). Here is a short dossier on his life, art, and legacy.
Shirō Kasamatsu: The Nihonga and Shin Hanga artist
Shirō Kasamatsu (1898–1991) was a versatile painter and printmaker and a leading figure in the Shin Hanga movement. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and serene landscapes, Kasamatsu’s work blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern influences, capturing the beauty of Japan’s natural and urban environments. His prints are celebrated for their emotional resonance and timeless appeal, making him one of the most renowned artists of the 20th century.
Kawase Hasui: Master of Shin Hanga landscape prints
The work by Kawase Hasui (1883–1957) is a prime example of the Shin Hanga movement. Hasui’s prints are celebrated for their evocative depictions of Japan’s landscapes, capturing the beauty of the country’s natural and urban environments with a poetic sensibility. His mastery of light and shadow, attention to detail, and ability to convey mood and atmosphere have made him one of the most revered landscape artists in Japanese art history.
Itō Shinsui: A master of beauty and tranquility
Itō Shinsui (1898–1972) was central figure in the Shin Hanga movement, renowned for his refined depictions of Japanese women (bijin-ga) and serene landscapes. His work is characterized by a blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern influences, marked by graceful lines, subtle colors, and a delicate portrayal of beauty. Trained under Kaburagi Kiyokata, Shinsui mastered the art of capturing the timeless elegance of Japanese life, producing prints that are known for their craftsmanship and quiet sophistication. His dedication to preserving and evolving Japanese art left a lasting legacy in the Shin Hanga movement.
Hashiguchi Goyō: Pioneer of Shin Hanga
Hashiguchi Goyō (1880-1921) was a pioneering artist of Shin Hanga. He is best known for his exquisite bijin-ga (paintings of beautiful women), which are celebrated for their elegance and attention to detail. Goyō’s work represents a fusion of traditional ukiyo-e aesthetics and modern Western techniques, creating a unique style within the Shin Hanga movement. Here is a short dossier on him along with some of his most famous prints.
Shin-hanga: The ‘new print’ movement in Japan after 1900
After the decline of ukiyo-e in the late 19th century, a new art movement emerged in Japan that sought to revitalize the traditional woodblock printing. Known as Shin Hanga (新版画), meaning ‘new prints’, this movement combined the beauty of the traditional ukiyo-e style with elements of modernity and Western art influences. Emerging during a period of rapid modernization in Japan, Shin Hanga blended the beauty of the traditional ukiyo-e style with contemporary sensibilities, capturing the beauty and complexity of early 20th-century Japan, leading to a renaissance in the art of woodblock printing.
From ukiyo-e to horimono: The Japanese art of tattooing and its historical roots
Horimono (彫り物), the traditional Japanese art of tattooing, is a deeply rooted cultural practice that actually dates back thousands of years. Its history is intertwined with Japan’s social evolution, spiritual beliefs – and the ukiyo-e woodblock printing tradition. From its ancient origins to its association with the yakuza and its current resurgence as an art form, horimono reflects Japan’s complex relationship with tattooing – oscillating between reverence, stigma, and admiration – and the transformation of ukiyo-e into a new, living canvas through the art of tattooing.