Scenes in the Yoshiwara Pleasure District (detail), By Hishikawa Moronobu, Edo period, 17th century
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 10
September 5, 2017 (Tue) - October 1, 2017 (Sun)
The genre of ukiyo-e, which depicts the common people of the Edo period (1603–1868), first consisted of only hand-painted works. Mass production of ukiyo-e later became possible through woodblock printing, while advances in carving and printing techniques eventually led to the creation of multi-colored prints called nishiki-e. This exhibition will trace the history of this unique genre of art through works by famous artists, beginning with the so-called “Founder of Ukiyo-e,” Iwasa Matabei, and another early artist, Hishikawa Moronobu. It will continue with monochrome prints, such as the standing beauties of the Kaigetsudo school, prints with colors applied by brush, ones with printed colors, and finally, brilliant nishiki-e. Paintings by Hishikawa Moronobu and artists of the Miyagawa school will also be featured.
Current exhibit includes:
Genre Scenes, By Iwasa Matabei, Edo period, 17th century
Scenes in the Yoshiwara Pleasure District, By Hishikawa Moronobu, Edo period, 17th century
Beauty with a Book of Tokiwazu Songs, By Ishikawa Toyonobu, Edo period, 18th century (Important Art Object)
Renowned Beauties Likened to the Six Immortal Poets: Naniwaya Okita, By Kitagawa Utamaro, Edo period, 18th century
Eight Famous Views of Buyo Kanazawa at Night, Essentialized in One Scene, By Utagawa Hiroshige, Edo period, dated 1857