Japanese Ukiyo-e Appreciation Series II: Genre Painting

Author: Wu Guiyu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-10-01
Features: Ukiyo-e, which refers to the genre of folk paintings from the Edo period in Japan. The term "ukiyo" originates from Buddhist terminology, meaning the myriad phenomena of the world, or in other words, the social realities of the eye and ear. In the late 17th century, it was adopted by Japanese scholars and artists in the field of art, giving rise to ukiyo-e. The production method of ukiyo-e first involved more expensive ink paintings, followed by the emergence of the widely known 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 paintings of animals and plants. Among these, the beautiful women paintings and artist portraits, which are collectively known as the two major themes of ukiyo-e, are renowned for their unique charm, attracting worldwide attention and being widely collected by major museums around the world. Among the masterpieces of ukiyo-e artist Sugimura Jobei, the most celebrated folk paintings are the series "Kansai Ryūō Gafenzon" (A Treasury of Kansai Style). It is a scroll that follows the order of court paintings, depicting the customs of each month from the first to the twelfth, showcasing the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Although the content does not clearly distinguish between social status or gender, the focus remains on the daily lives of the upper class, who possess certain financial means and dominate the cultural mainstream. Occasionally interspersed with patterns resembling allusions and tales, it presents a colorful and vibrant depiction of folk customs.