The Floating World of Japanese Prints

Courtesan
Ukiyoe
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com

Called Ukiyo-e, literally pictures of the Floating World, these prints constitute one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of graphic art. They were produced entirely by hand, without using printing presses, and they provide an unrivalled visual record of the unique history and culture of Japan. The prints were introduced into the West in the 19^th century and influenced generations of artists, most notably the French Impressionists. There is even a self-portrait of Van Gogh with a Japanese print on the wall behind him.

The prints constituted a notable departure from traditional Japanese art. This revolutionary style was brought about by the changing social and political conditions in the country in the 17th century.

After a period of considerable unrest and conflict, in 1603 Tokugawa established the Shogunate, a military dictatorship. The Emperor's duties and powers then became mostly ceremonial and the Shogun had the real power. As the Shogun imposed peace and stability on Japan, so dispossessed and unemployed soldiers flocked to the cities and towns. The Shogun also made it compulsory for local lords (daimyo) to spend part of each year in Edo (now Tokyo) and, when they returned to their estates, they had to leave their families behind as guarantees against revolt.

The influx of people into the cities, especially Edo, brought increasing prosperity to the despised merchants. Sumptuary laws were passed forbidding the bourgeoisie from wearing certain clothes traditionally reserved for the aristocracy, although the merchant class largely disregarded these laws. The aristocracy despised the merchants and so, with no way of improving their position in society, they spent their wealth on frivolous and transitory pleasures. Then in 1612 permission was given to build a permanent brothel quarter in Edo, walled off from the rest of the city, where the best courtesans were renowned for their skills, their beauty and their fashionable and exquisite dress.

It was from brothel quarter in Edo that many of the ukiyo-e artists drew their inspiration. They depicted the most beautiful of the courtesans and the perceived glamour of that world.

At the same time as pursuing a frivolous lifestyle, the merchant class had rejected the traditional No Theatre and instead flocked to the new Kabuki which also provided themes for ukiyo-e artists. Women were banned from performing in Kabuki so young men took the female roles. In Japanese prints, they can be identified by the cloth at the front of the head covering a man's shaven forelock. The artists also depicted scenes from the daily life of townspeople as well as the more traditional landscapes.

Initially, in the 17th century, the woodblock prints were hand-coloured, it was not until the mid 18th century that a method of colour printing was invented. The technique was to use hand-carved woodblocks: each print had to have one woodblock for every colour used. The colours were then printed individually on each print. The different blocks had register marks so that each block was placed in precisely the same position to print the colour in the right place. Traditionally, they used mulberry paper which could take up to three months to make but which causes the dyes used in printing to become fuller and richer with age.

Nowadays Japanese prints of the Floating World are as popular as ever. Some of them are still quite affordable with prices starting at under £100 rising to thousands depending on the artist, the subject, the size of the print, condition, etc. You do not have to be an avid collector or to have a great deal of knowledge of the subject to appreciate the beauty and artistry of these pictures. Even one or two can bring a small touch of Japan in times past to our Western homes.

Also see Japanese Netsuke

Return to Home Page

Copyright © 2001 by Carol Fisher