MASTERS AND COLORS

Ukiyo-e is a genre of traditional Japanese art that emerged during the Edo period, characterized by woodblock prints. With the end of the long era of turmoil and the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Edo (modern-day Tokyo) flourished, bringing with it a sense of development and stability for the Japanese people.

The term ukiyo , which originally denoted a fleeting and painful world, took on a brighter meaning of "living carefree" among the city population, reflecting the era's newly found optimism and prosperity, the floating world. With the advent of this brilliant period, ukiyo-e spread among common people and became a dominant form of popular culture. Although today ukiyo-e is highly regarded as an art form and creates the impression of being precious and prestigious, at the time it was affordable, with prices equivalent to a few hundred yen in today's currency. Ukiyo-e served not only as entertainment for the population but also as a means of capturing popular trends and figures, playing a mass media role. Furthermore, the Sankin-kotai system, implemented by the Tokugawa Shogunate, facilitated the spread of ukiyo-e to various regions of Japan. Ukiyo-e was not just limited to Edo people; its object extended beyond the city.

Ukiyo-e encompasses various themes, including bijin-ga (portraits of beautiful women), yakusha-e (prints of actors), fukeiga (landscape prints), kacho-ga (prints of birds and flowers), and musha- and (warrior prints). The appeal of ukiyo-e lies in its vibrant and beautiful colors, which show the meticulous attention to detail of ukiyo-e artists, as well as its artistic freedom.

The use of indigo blue, known as "Japan Blue", in ukiyo-e prints is highly regarded throughout the world and influenced Western painters of the time.

In this exhibition, you will find not only reproductions created by contemporary artists, but also authentic ukiyo-e prints dating back over 50 years. Even with the passage of time, the bright colors used in ukiyo-e continue to capture the viewer's attention. The artistic freedom of ukiyo-e is evident in the unique compositions of landscape prints, dynamic expressions that resonate with contemporary designs, unconventional humor in satirical prints, and idealized depictions of faces. This wide range of ideas and artistic freedom contributes to the enduring appreciation of ukiyo-e across different eras.

Ukiyo-e has continued to evolve throughout its approximately 260-year history from the Edo period to the Meiji era. It has served as a beacon of light, illuminating people's lives during difficult times, and is a cultural treasure that Japan can be proud of. Although ukiyo-e gradually declined with the advent of photography and other mediums during the Meiji era, it was reevaluated as an art form and experienced a revival. Artists inspired by ukiyo-e continue to make their mark on the art world.

Ukiyo-e works, created with passion, skill and dedication by artists, continue to inspire and move people today.