☞ Japanese Woodblock prints are a fantastic reference material for illustrators; full of inspiring compositions, viewpoints and colour palettes. There are a massive number of 'Ukiyo-e' woodblock print designs created from the 17th to 20th century.
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 - 1858) Above Left: 'Mochizuki', from the 69 Stations of the Kisokaido.
Above Right: 'Sudden Shower over the Ohashi Bridge', from the 100 views of Edo
The scenes often depict man's futile struggles against the overpowering force of nature (Hokusai's famous 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' is an example of this). There are prints that present landscapes, plants, classic tales, and portraits of heroes, actors and courtesans. The term 'Ukiyo-e' translates as 'Pictures of the Floating / Transitory World' with a suggestion that life and beauty are fleeting, and that people should revel in the pleasures of existence.
Above Left: Suzuki Harunobu (1724-1770) 'Beauty Reading a Letter'. Above Right: Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) 'Watermill at Onden', from the 36 views of Mount Fuji.
In 1661, Asai Ryoi published the novel 'Story of the Floating World (Ukiyo Monogatari)' which discussed these ideas: "Live for the moment, look at the moon, the cherry-blossom and maple leaves, love wine, women and poetry, encounter with humour the poverty that stares you in the face and don't be discouraged by it, let yourself be carried along the river of life like a calabash that drifts down-stream, that is what ukiyo means." This is a sentiment that I like very much, and I think many impoverished artists could take heart from this too.
Above Left: Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) 'Irises and Meadow Cicada'. Above Right: Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 - 1858) 'Bamboo Quay by the Kyobashi Bridge', from the 100 views of Edo.
The artworks were designed by the masters of the time, such as Hiroshige, Hokusai and Kuniyoshi. Their drawings were then carved into wood by master woodblock craftsmen from various publishing houses. The prints were mass produced which meant they were affordable for many people. Many western artists were able to buy and take inspiration from the designs too, such as Van Gogh, Degas and Monet. The Japanese artists have been said to represent the original impressionists, with graphic representations of subjects rather than overly realistic views.
Above Left: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1862) 'Mitake'. Above Right: Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 - 1858) 'Grandpa's Teahouse in Meguro', from the 100 views of Edo.
The images I've included are some of my favourites. I like the way the compositions show foreground objects framing the backgrounds, off-centered viewpoints and the sense that the views are just a part of a more eternal landscape/story that carries on over the edges of the pictures. There are loads of great books (Taschen Japanese prints / Hiroshige, Prestel Hokusai...) that talk in great detail about the themes and philosophies of Ukiyo-e prints, and many websites too.
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