Ukiyo-e: An Introduction to Japanese Woodblock Prints - Softcover

Kobayashi, Tadashi

Softcover

ISBN 10: 4770021828 ISBN 13: 9784770021823

Publisher: Kodansha USA, 1997

Synopsis

Japanese woodblock prints, or ukiyo-e, occupy a singular position in the lexicon of world art. They enthralled such Western artists as Whistler, Manet, Degas, and van Gogh, and gave rise to a wave of "japonisme" in the salons of Paris, London, and New York that left a lasting impression.

As the successor to previous aristocratic traditions, the ukiyo-e print represents the last flowering of traditional pictorial art before Japan entered the modern era. These "pictures of the floating world" reflected the world of the townspeople of Edo (Tokyo), focusing on the popular entertainments of the day, landscapes of favored scenic spots, and portraits of well-known geisha, kabuki actors, and sumo stars.

The present volume delves into the history of these unique artistic endeavors, tracing their development from the lavish works commissioned by aristocratic patrons in the sixteenth century to their peak in popularity among the rising merchant class of the flourishing future capital. As the story of the genre's blossoming unfolds, Mr. Kobayashi's illuminating commentary on all its varied aspects-styles, artists, engravers, printers, and the demands of an insatiable but fickle public-captures the essence of the art and provides a fascinating glimpse into the culture of old Japan. With the large color plates and numerous detailed close-ups accompanying the text, Ukiyo-e: An Introduction is essential reading for anyone interested in exploring the exotic world of the Japanese print.

About this title

About the Author:

Born in Tokyo in 1941, TADASHI KOBAYASHI graduated from the University of Tokyo, then went on to serve as a lecturer at the University of Nagoya and as curator at the Tokyo National Museum. His extensive writings on Japanese art have brought him to the forefront of the field. He is the co-supervisor of Japanese Art: The Great European Collections, in twelve volumes, and the author of Utamaro: Portraits from the Floating World.

Review:

"Highly readable ... an excellent addition to your library."—Eye-Ai

About this edition

• Publisher: Kodansha USA
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 4770021828
• ISBN 13: 9784770021823
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96