ukiyo-e
Japanese woodblock art
Ukiyo-e is a style of Japanese woodblock printing that flourished from the 17th to 19th centuries, depicting scenes of everyday life, landscapes, kabuki actors, and courtesans.
The name means "pictures of the floating world"—the fleeting pleasures of urban entertainment districts.
Hokusai's wave and Hiroshige's rain are iconic examples.
The museum's ukiyo-e collection includes several Utamaro prints.
Ritualistic performance for show
- courtesanPaid aristocratic companion
- geishaJapanese arts entertainer
- actorOne who portrays characters
- sumoJapanese heavyweight wrestling
erotica · portrait · beauty · teahouse · mirror · kimono · hair ornament · floating world
Carved printing matrix
- printTransfer text to paper
- HokusaiJapanese ukiyo-e artist
- polychromeHaving multiple colors
- washiJapanese handmade fiber paper
carving · impression · edition · multicolor · pigment · registration · gradation · burnishing
Transient mortal existence
- merchant classTraders as social group
- townspeopleMunicipal area inhabitants
- theater districtEntertainment venue concentration
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
hedonism · urban · popular culture · mass production · affordable · collectible · censorship · seal
Oscillating motion through medium
- vistaPleasing distant scene
- bridgeStructure spanning an obstacle
- waterfallDescending river over precipice
- mountainTall natural landmass
station · travel · Kanagawa · pilgrimage · seasons · snow · moon · cherry blossom
Art movement emphasizing light
- MonetFrench Impressionist surname
- DegasFrench Impressionist's surname
- Art NouveauCurvilinear decorative movement, 1890s
- Western artEuropean visual heritage
Van Gogh · composition · flat color · outline · asymmetry · cropping · perspective · decorative
kabuki
Ritualistic performance for show
sumo · erotica · portrait · beauty · teahouse · mirror · kimono · hair ornament · floating world · entertainment
woodblock
Carved printing matrix
- printTransfer text to paper
- HokusaiJapanese ukiyo-e artist
- polychromeHaving multiple colors
washi · carving · impression · edition · multicolor · pigment · registration · gradation · burnishing · mulberry
floating world
Transient mortal existence
- merchant classTraders as social group
- townspeopleMunicipal area inhabitants
- theater districtEntertainment venue concentration
ephemeral · hedonism · urban · popular culture · mass production · affordable · collectible · censorship · seal · Meiji
wave
Oscillating motion through medium
- vistaPleasing distant scene
- bridgeStructure spanning an obstacle
- waterfallDescending river over precipice
mountain · station · travel · Kanagawa · pilgrimage · seasons · snow · moon · cherry blossom · rain
Impressionism
Art movement emphasizing light
- MonetFrench Impressionist surname
- DegasFrench Impressionist's surname
- Art NouveauCurvilinear decorative movement, 1890s
Van Gogh · Western art · composition · flat color · outline · asymmetry · cropping · perspective · decorative · poster