Yoshitsuya (1822 - 1866 )
A 19th-century ukiyo-e printmaker and illustrator, Yoshitsuya was a pupil of Kuniyoshi Utagawa. Growing up during the late Edo period, Yoshitsuya experienced the sharp decline of the political stability that defined the early Edo period. As the 1840s brought famine and economic despair, the Shogunate introduced the Tenpo Reforms (1841-1842). These edicts banned the depiction of actors and courtesans in ukiyo-e in an effort to remove the "luxury" from printmaking. Unhindered by these restrictions, Yoshitsuya's work focuses mainly on triumphant warriors of Japanese history and legend. Some of his noted series include 54 Battle Stories by Hideyoshi, presenting 54 scenes of Japan's 16th-century unifier, and The Scenic Places of Tokaido, which he completed with a range of top artists and publishers of his time. Today, his works can be found in esteemed collections such as the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum.
Ukiyo-e | Japanese Woodblock Prints | Ronin Gallery
Explore the largest collection of 17th-19th century original Japanese woodblock prints in the United States at Ronin Gallery. Ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” captured the exciting urban popular culture of the Edo period (1603-1868), promoting its beauty, fashions and heroes. While the Buddhist term ukiyo originally emphasized the transitory nature of human life, during the 17th century the term gradually shifted its reference to the ephemeral world of pleasure and indulgence. From 17th century Buddhist woodcuts through 19th century Japanese ukiyo-e print masters, enter a vibrant world of enchanting landscapes and sublime nature studies by Hokusai and Hiroshige, dramatic kabuki actors by Sharaku and Toyokuni, fierce samurai by Kuniyoshi, and elegant beauties by Utamaro. With the ravages of time, war and fire, today few of these precious original Japanese woodblock prints survive outside of museums and important private collections.
6 Products
Yoshitsuya
Raising Wind and Rain Competition between Dragon and Tiger
JPR-207798
Yoshitsuya
The Giant Serpent: Yorimitsu Destroying Hakamadare Yasusuke's Magic
JP1-25857