Weekend Stories
I enjoy going exploring on weekends (mostly). Here is a collection of stories and photos I gather along the way. All posts are CC BY-NC-SA licensed unless otherwise stated. Feel free to share, remix, and adapt the content as long as you give appropriate credit and distribute your contributions under the same license.
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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.
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi: The last great master of ukiyo-e
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) is celebrated as the last great master of ukiyo-e. His works are characterized by a unique blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics and modern influences, reflecting the tumultuous period of the Meiji Restoration. Yoshitoshi’s prints are known for their vivid colors, dynamic compositions, and expressive depictions of historical and supernatural subjects. In this post, we will explore the life and art of this influential artist, and examine some of his most famous works.
Utagawa Kunisada: The prolific master of ukiyo-e
Utawaga Kunisada (1786-1865) was another very prominent ukiyo-e artist of the late Edo period. He was a pupil of Toyokuni I and became one of the most successful and prolific designers of woodblock prints in the 19th century. Kunisada was known for his prolific portraits of Edo, Kabuki actors (yakusha-e) and beautiful women (bijin-ga), as well as for his series of landscapes (fūkei-ga) and historical scenes.
Utagawa Hiroshige: The poet of landscapes
Among the famous ukiyo-e artists like Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Kuniyoshi, there is another artist from the same period who deserves special attention: Utagawa Hiroshige. Hiroshige was a master of landscape prints, and his works are characterized by their serene beauty and poetic atmosphere. In this post, we briefly explore the life and art of this exceptional artist.
Utagawa Kuniyoshi: Master of warrios and fantastic imagery
Our next stop in the world of Japanese woodblock prints takes us to Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861), a master of warriors and fantastic imagery. Kuniyoshi was one of the last great masters of the ukiyo-e tradition, known for his dynamic compositions, bold use of color, and imaginative depictions of warriors, monsters, and mythical creatures. In this post, we will explore the life and work of Utagawa Kuniyoshi, as well as some of his most famous prints.
Totoya Hokkei: The master of surimono
Totoya Hokkei (1780-1850) was a ukiyo-e Japanese artist and printmaker who specialized in the creation of surimono, a type of privately published print that flourished in the late Edo period (1603-1868). Hokkei was a master of this art form, known for his intricate designs, meticulous craftsmanship, and innovative use of color and composition. In this post, we will explore the life and work of Totoya Hokkei, highlighting some of his most famous surimono prints.
Katsushika Hokusai: The visionary of ukiyo-e
I this post, we briefly elucidate the life and work of the iconic Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), known for his groundbreaking contributions to the ukiyo-e genre. Hokusai’s innovative compositions, mastery of color and line, and wide-ranging exploration of subjects have left an indelible mark on the world of art, inspiring generations of artists and art enthusiasts.