Japanese Ukiyo-e Appreciation · Issue 1: Beauties and Courtesan Paintings (8)

Author: Ipponji Yoshinori
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-10-01
Features: Ukiyo-e, referring to the genre of folk paintings from the Edo period of Japan. The term "ukiyo" originates from Buddhist terminology, meaning the myriad phenomena of the world, or the various social realities one sees and hears. By the late 17th century, it was adopted by Japanese scholars in the field of art, giving rise to ukiyo-e. The production method of ukiyo-e began with more expensive ink paintings before evolving into the widely recognized woodblock prints. Ukiyo-e includes folk paintings centered on beautiful women, artist portraits depicting Kabuki actors, as well as landscapes, flowers, birds, insects, grasses, and plants. Among these, the beautiful women and artist portraits are considered the two major themes of ukiyo-e, renowned for their unique charm and widely cherished by major museums around the world. Originally a close military advisor to the Tokugawa Shogunate, Ipponji Yoshinori (1756–1829) had long studied painting under the noblewoman Kano Yoshikawa-in. However, unable to resist the allure of the elegant Qing Changfeng beauty, he switched to the ukiyo-e. The beautiful women depicted by Yoshinori are indeed extraordinary in their birth, each exuding elegance and grace. Even the portrayal of the lives of Geisha in Yoshiwara is depicted in extreme luxury and splendor. This volume also features selected works by Ipponji Yoshimasa, another artist from the same school as Yoshinori.