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.
29 Products
Kunichika
Kabuki Actor Ichimura Kakitsu IV in the Play Yagura Daiko Oto mo Yoshiwara
JP-209934
Kunichika
Actors Sawamura Tossho II as Mitsushima Samon, Otani Konohei as a Police Officer (Torite) (R), Nakamura Shikan IV as Jinriki Tamigoro, Nakamura Nakazo III as Kimyo-in (C), Otani Monza as a Bad Guy, and Otani Tomoemon V as Shirataki no Yokichi
JPR-209709
Kunichika
Kabuki Actors Ichikawa Kyuzo, Bando Kakyo, Onoe Kikugoro, Nakamura Dengoro, and Onoe Matsusuke
JPR-97141
Kunichika
Raiko and the Earth Spider with Kabuki Actor Onoe Kikugoro as the Earth Spider
JP110433
Chikanobu
Scene from a Kabuki Play: Imoseyama Onna Teikin
JP2254
Chikanobu
Kabuki Actors Nakamura Fukusuke, Ichikawa Danjuro and Onoe Kikugoro
JPR-109500
Chikanobu
Kabuki Play: Onoe Kikugoro as Bonji no Kiyojiro and Iwai Matsunosuke as Omaki
JP1-51161
Kunichika
Introducing Two Kabuki Plays at the Nakamura Theater
JP110821
Kunichika
Onoe Kikugoro and Bando Mitsugoro as Courtesans with Nakamura Juzaburo and Bando Minosuke
JP110830
Kunichika
Kyogen: Actors Onoe Matsusuke, Nakamura Fukusuke, and Onoe Kikugoro
JP1-51190
Kunichika
Scene from the Kabuki Play Chujo-hime Taima Engi
JP110452