Meiji Period Prints (1868-1912)
Meiji-period woodblock prints reflect an era of change. In 1853, the arrival of Commodore Perry’s black ships brought over 250 years of Japanese isolation to an abrupt end. The following year, as Japan engaged in international trade, Yokohama-e (Yokohama pictures) captured an influx of unfamiliar peoples, places and things entering Japan through Yokohama harbor. By 1868, the Imperial line attained control of the country under Emperor Meiji, terminating the feudal rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate and dissipating the culture of the floating world. Under the emperor, national modernization progressed rapidly. From Western-style clothes and pastimes, to exciting new inventions from overseas, Japan absorbed the massive influx of the foreign and developed a distinctly Japanese modern identity. While photography and lithography gained popularity at this time, the woodblock print continued to serve as a powerful medium. Meiji period artists made sense of a transitioning world with a familiar medium.
128 Products
Yoshitoshi
Jigoku-Dayu in Meditation with Skeletons
JPR1-25005
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Fujiwara no Hidesato Shooting the Centipede at the Dragon King's Palace
JPR-111494
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Kiyohime Changing into a Serpent at the Hidaka River
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Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Udanji as Thunder God and Kataoka Gado as Monkey Trainer
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Kunichika
Kabuki Play Modoribashi, Inoue Kikugoro V as the Demon of Mt. Atago Disguised as Sayuri
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Yoshitoshi
Tametomo's Ferocity Drives Away the Smallpox Demons
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Kiyomori Sees Hundreds of Skulls at Fukuhara
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Yoshitoshi
Fujiwara no Sanetaka's Obsession with the Sparrows
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Toshikata
Composing Poetry: Noblewoman of the An'ei Era (1772-81)
JPR-208645
Yoshitoshi
The Story of the Monk Ikkyu and Courtesan Jigoku-dayu
JPR-208627
Yoshitoshi
Priest Raigo of Mii TempleTransformed by Wicked Thoughts into a Rat
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