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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Uehara Konen: Master of tranquil landscapes in Shin Hanga
Uehara Konen (1877-1940) was a Shin Hanga artist who is best known for his serene and atmospheric landscape prints. His works are celebrated for capturing the quiet beauty of Japan’s natural and urban environment. Here is a short dossier on his life and work.
Torii Kotondo: The Shin Hanga bijin-ga master
Torii Kotondo (1900-1976) was a prominent artist of the Shin Hanga movement, known for his exquisite bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women). His work is characterized by its elegance, refinement, and attention to detail, capturing the grace and poise of his subjects in moments of quiet introspection.
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.