Japanese Ukiyo-e Art

Traditional Japanese woodblock prints demonstrate intricate designs of women and performers, showcasing cultural heritage and artistry.

Vesper Bell of the Temple of Great Buddha ca. 1778 Kitao Shigemasa Japanese. Vesper Bell of the Temple of Great Buddha 56833

Oiran Someyama from the Matsuba ya bawdy house, from the series: Ceremonial parade of beauties from Green Houses /Seiro bikun dochu Eisho, chokosai (FL.1780 1800)

Chuban of the Chushingura Drama Katsukawa Shunshō　川春章 Japanese. Chuban of the Chushingura Drama 56536

Actors The actors Iwai Hanshiro and Ichikawa Danjuro VI in the role of a women woman and a samurai Katsukawa, shuntei (1770 1820)

Vesper Bell of the Temple of Great Buddha ca. 1778 Kitao Shigemasa Japanese. Vesper Bell of the Temple of Great Buddha 56833

Kudô Saemon Suketsune. The actor One Kikugoro III (1784-1849) in the role of Kudô Suketsune, the host of the New Year's party and the bad guy of the play. With three poems. First sheet (VRNL) of a five-hatch.

Couple visits Enoshima, Totoya Hokkei, c. 1890 - c. 1900 print A woman stands in front of the Torii of the Shintô Sanctuary on Enoshima. The print is a B copy. paper color woodcut temple, shrine ~ Shinto

Scene from the Noh Theater piece Aoinoue; Aoinoue; Play a hundred noh; NUAKU HYAKUBAN. Noh actor in the role of demon. The actor, with mask on which cones, stick in right hand, stands for a kimono thrown on the ground.

Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Sadato's Wife Iwate 1794-95 Tōshūsai Sharaku Japanese. Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Sadato's Wife Iwate 37328

Washing the clothes, sheet 5 from the series: Children play the Heroes Raikō. Donation Gerhard Schack

The guard; Banjo; A series of ten people; Jinbutsu Jûbantsuzuki. The main timmer banjô is dressed as a nobleman and performs a ceremony prior to building a house. On the right a banner. With one poem.

The sixth prescription; Onna Imagawa, valuable regulations for young girls; Jijo Hokun, Onna Imagawa. Man sitting against red mattress, his teeth cleaned next to seated kamuro (youngest clerk of a courtesane) and standing courtesane, behind which second kamuro with tray in hands; In the background tree branches in the rain.

The actor Seki Sanjuro in the role of a pilgrim Kuniyasu, utagawa (1794 1832)

Actors Segawa Michisaburo I and Bando Mitsugoro III; Sogen Ajari, Bando Mitsugoro III, Orikoto Hime, Sogen Ajari. Double portrait of a kneeled man and standing woman. The actor Segawa Michisaburo I in women's role as the Princess Orikoto, standing behind Bando Mitsugoro III as the priest Sogen Ajari.

Actor giving folding fans to two children: Allusions to Seven Lucky Gods" (E-kyodai mitate shichifukujin). Utagawa, Kunisada I (1786-1864), graphic artist

. A maid with food in a box that was used when visiting the theater. Symbols of closed clubs on her kimono.

Actors in the Noboshiori Theater piece; Eboshiori; Play a hundred noh; NUAKU HYAKUBAN. Actor with in white pants in the role of Yoshitsune, sword in the right hand. Judge part of dipper.

Praying for the rain; Amagoi; A parody of the seven komachi; Mitate Nana Komachi. An actor in a woman role (Onnagata) dressed in a blue kimono. With one anonymous poem. With the 'seven komachi' from the title, seven events from the life of the famous female closer ono No Komachi are meant. This print refers to the moment, where Komachi collapsed over a period of serious drought.

Woman next to a candlestick with a burning candle Eisen, Keisai (1790 1848)

Man and Woman in Ceremonial Dress Arranging the New Year Decoration of a Pine Tree 19th century Kubo Shunman Japanese. Man and Woman in Ceremonial Dress Arranging the New Year Decoration of a Pine Tree 54023

Woman Seated in Front of an Offering Stand, 1834 print Actor Osagawa Tsuneyo IV plays Sonô, the wife of Raikô, sitting at a sacrificial table. With three poems. paper color woodcut / polishing portrait of actor, actress. female impersonation by actor. ritual objects and ritual means ~ non-Christian religions

Temple festival. Woman in white kimono, standing under colorful flags, talking with woman sitting in litter; different buildings in the background; At night. (Bijinga)

. Torii Kiyomasu II

Going to worship at the Myo-ji-jinja of Kameido on the first day of the New Year (Hatsu-u)., 1801 - 1825, Woodcuts

Samurai is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. By the end of the 12th century, samurai became almost entirely synonymous with bushi, and the word was closely associated with the middle and upper echelons of the warrior class. The samurai followed a set of rules that came to be known as Bushido. While they numbered less than ten percent of Japan's population, samurai teachings can still be found today in both everyday life and in martial arts such as Kendo, meaning the way of the sword.

The banquet, sheet 1 from the series: Children play the Heroes Raikō. Donation Gerhard Schack

Young Lady Taking a Lesson on the Shamisen Nishikawa Sukenobu Japanese. Young Lady Taking a Lesson on the Shamisen 56544

Courtisane Karagoto from the Chojiya house; Chojiya Uchi Karagoto; Courtisanes and the five festivals; Yukun Goskku. Courtisane, in black kimono with pattern of stylized peach blossom and cranes, standing at rack over which kimono with pattern of shells, seaweed and dolls between blossom. The dolls and peach blossom refer to the doll or girl's party in the third month. (Bijinga)

Visiting the Sanno Shrine 1824 Japan. Color woodblock print; shikishiban, surimono . Totoya Hokkei

Monkey with staff and bubbles. A dance monkey with a striped cap, bubbles in his left hand and a staff with strips paper (Gohhei) in his right hand. The monkey dances a Sanbasô dance. The print is also a calendar print: the songs of the long months are written on the staff. With one poem.

Horses shell; Umagai; A series with horses; Umazukushi. A boy plays a horse; The stirrups are made of shells where a rope is attached. On the left a large burning candle. With one poem.

A Geisha reading a book, Kikugawa Eizan, (1787-1867/Japanese), Wood

Temple festival. Woman, the right arm ahead pointing, standing by little boy with lantern in right hand; In the background and temple building and partying people with lanterns; At night. (Bijinga)

Cooling Off at Nakazu 1782 Torii Kiyonaga Japanese. Cooling Off at Nakazu 57089

Couple visits Enoshima, Totoya Hokkei, c. 1890 - c. 1900 print A woman stands in front of the Torii of the Shintô Sanctuary on Enoshima. The print is a B copy. paper color woodcut temple, shrine ~ Shinto

Woman with incense burner. A woman is sitting in front of a hanging spherical incense burner. The print is an A-copy.

Fair Visitors in the Compound of a Buddhist Temple ca. 1789 Katsukawa Shunchō Japanese. Fair Visitors in the Compound of a Buddhist Temple 56840

Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō V ca. 1788-90 Katsukawa Shunkō Japanese. Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō V 55589

Tenaraichō o motsu musume | Library of Congress

Picture of a Banquet of People of Five Nations at the Gankiro Teahouse (Gokakoku gankiro ni oite sakamori no zu) 1860 Japan. Color woodblock prints; oban triptych . Utagawa Yoshiiku

Courtisane as Kanzan; Costume parade during the Nerimono party in Shinmachi, Osaka. A Courtisane posing as the Zen Master Kanzan, with Sutra roll in hands.

Actor Bandō Shūka I as Chōbeis Wife of Musa and Bandō Takesaburō I as Shirai Gonpachi. .

Making Ornaments for the Tanabata Festival ca. 1773 Isoda Koryūsai Japanese. Making Ornaments for the Tanabata Festival 54583

The Actor Sanogawa Ichimitsu in Role of Kumenosuke 1735-1785 Torii Kiyomitsu Japanese. The Actor Sanogawa Ichimitsu in Role of Kumenosuke 57028

A young man performing the purification ceremony of hand washing at the chozubachi at the entrance to a Shinto temple. The chozubachi is inscribed 'Otakara maye' (The front of the honorable treasures)., 1769, Woodcuts, 11 x 8 1/8 in. (27.9 x 20.6 cm)

Kamuro and Shinzô on New Year's Day; The seven luck gods for the Hangasaren poets' association; Hanagasians Shichifukujin. Two young students from a Geisha prepare for New Year's Day. The older, Shinzô, carries a standard with New Year's decorations, the youngest, Kamuro, holds a battlehood with an image of a carp. With five poems.

The warrior Asashina Saburô fallen asleep above Sake barrel. The blue kimono of this warrior is decorated with a large emblem of a crane. A stand with unit years decorations, including pine branches, a lobster and large rice cakes (mochi). Links two poems.

Binzasara, A Dance with Clappers (From the series Entertainments at the Height of the Niwaka Festival in the Pleasure Quarters), early 1790s. Eishōsai Chōki (Japanese). Color woodblock print; sheet: 24.5 x 18.2 cm (9 5/8 x 7 3/16 in.). During the eighth lunar month of each year the geisha of the pleasure quarters would form themselves into groups and proceed around the quarter performing dances and skits. It seems likely that woodblock prints featuring the Niwaka Festival were purchased as souvenirs of the occasion. The Binzasara is a ritual dance related to agriculture and fertility performed during the month of May. Agricultural deities are addressed by the use of flowered hats and binzasara clappers.

Bando Mitsugoro in the role of Soga no Juro 1781 Katsukawa Shunshō　川春章 Japanese. Bando Mitsugoro in the role of Soga no Juro 36603

Two women on pilgrimage, Two women returning from a temple visit, the judge holding a piece of bamboo and pipe, the left a large hat and bamboo stick. With two poems, pilgrimage, pilgrim (s) under way, Keisai Eisen (mentioned on object), Japan, 1825 - 1829, paper, colour woodcut, h 221 mm × w 191 mm

Samurai is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. By the end of the 12th century, samurai became almost entirely synonymous with bushi, and the word was closely associated with the middle and upper echelons of the warrior class. The samurai followed a set of rules that came to be known as Bushidō. While they numbered less than ten percent of Japan's population, samurai teachings can still be found today in both everyday life and in martial arts such as Kendō, meaning the way of the sword.

Tensioning cloths; Twelve female skills; Fujin tewaza juniko. Two women, one with white headscarf, the other with loose hanging hair, jobs canvas exciting to dry.

Emperor Ingy ( Ingy-tenn) was the 19th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 410-453. Emperor Ingyo's empress is named Oshisaka no nakatsu no Hime in the Japanese annals. Princess Sotori Hime was the concubine of the Emperor Ingyo, so named for the beauty of her skin which seemed to radiate through her robes. Later accounts associated her with the deity Tamatsushima Myojin, enshrined at Wakanoura in Kii Province, and venerated her as one of the three gods of poetry together with Kakimoto no Hitomaro and Yamabe no Akahito. According to the Nihon Shoki written in 720, Princess Sotori lived in seclusion in the Fujiwara Shrine out of deference to the Empress. The Emperor decided to visit her there in secret, but even before he arrived the Princess had divined that he was coming by noticing a spider building its web in the roots

The Third Segawa Kikunojo as an Oiran ca. 1776 Katsukawa Shunshō　川春章 Japanese. The Third Segawa Kikunojo as an Oiran 54595

Procession, 1887 - 1896 print paper color woodcut public festivities (+ parade, pageant, cavalcade ~ festive activities). adult woman

The Actors Onoe Kikugoro I and Sanogawa Ichimatsu I dressed as mendicant monks (komuso) 1744-1754 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban, benizuri-e . Ishikawa Toyonobu

Children tearing out the chrysanthemum petals. Month of September /Kugatsu. Kiku , from the series: Events of the twelve months in aof the year

Samurai is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. By the end of the 12th century, samurai became almost entirely synonymous with bushi, and the word was closely associated with the middle and upper echelons of the warrior class. The samurai followed a set of rules that came to be known as Bushido. While they numbered less than ten percent of Japan's population, samurai teachings can still be found today in both everyday life and in martial arts such as Kendo, meaning the way of the sword.

Bijin Urashima and the Seven Fortune Beings (Shichi-fuku-jin) Totoya Hokkei Japanese. Bijin Urashima and the Seven Fortune Beings (Shichi-fuku-jin) 54319

Bando Matataro as Umewomaru in the Drama "Sugewara denju tenarai Kagami" 2nd month, 1772 Katsukawa Shunshō　川春章 Japanese. Bando Matataro as Umewomaru in the Drama "Sugewara denju tenarai Kagami" 56868

Woman and Boy Gathering Herbs by a Plum Tree 19th century Ryūryūkyo Shinsai Japanese. Woman and Boy Gathering Herbs by a Plum Tree 53996

Tanceka Shirabyo Miny (Shirabyshi Minyo), Z will be "St Poetow sporód Literackich Bohaterów Naszego Kraju" (Hyakunin Isshu)

A Flute-Playing Monk (Komusō); The Fourth Month (Uzuki), from the series Fashionable Poetic Immortals of the Four Seasons (Fūzoku shiki kasen) ca. 1768 Suzuki Harunobu Japanese Komusō were itinerant Zen Buddhist monks of the Fuke sect who traveled the countryside, covering their heads with oversize basketlike hats and playing bamboo flutes (shakuhachi). Here the young monk has caught the attention of young women, who ogle him from indoors. He turns to watch the flight of a cuckoo bird (hototogisu), a symbol of the fourth month,” the beginning of summer, and fleeting love. The anonymous poem is from the summer section of Seven Hundred Poems Compiled by Lord Shirakawa (Shirakawa-dono shichi-hyakushu, no. 136), compiled around 1265: Hito mo toe saku ya uzuki no hana-zakarikōchō ni nitaru yado no kakine o Let everyone knowthat now in the fourth month, the deutzia flowers in bloom resemble butterflies covering a hedge in the garden.—Trans. John T. Carpenter. A Flute-Playing Monk (Komusō);

The Art of Conversation Suzuki Harunobu Japanese. The Art of Conversation 54568

Horin Temple Moon, Yoshitoshi, Tsukioka

Samurai is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. By the end of the 12th century, samurai became almost entirely synonymous with bushi, and the word was closely associated with the middle and upper echelons of the warrior class. The samurai followed a set of rules that came to be known as Bushidō. While they numbered less than ten percent of Japan's population, samurai teachings can still be found today in both everyday life and in martial arts such as Kendō, meaning the way of the sword.

The actor Ichikaiwa Danjuro VII is preparing for a Shibaraku show assisted by a boy. The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII stands for a mirror and sets up a mask while a boy (probably his son, the future Danjuro VIII) stands next to him and hold his headdress.

Banquet of the Next Full Moon at the Chrysanthemum Festival, from the series The Twelve Months (Chōyō nochi no tsuki no en, Jūni tsuki no uchi) 1854 Utagawa Kunisada Japanese. Banquet of the Next Full Moon at the Chrysanthemum Festival, from the series The Twelve Months (Chōyō nochi no tsuki no en, Jūni tsuki no uchi) 53710

Actor Matsumoto Koshiro III in the role of Soga No Goro. Man, in robe with butterfly and range patterns, standing, with long sword in hands, for a closed gate.

One. Two geishas dance on a stage with lanters above their heads, with cherry blossoms and pine trees in the background. This is the right shutter of the five-hatch. With two poems.

Three Gods of Good Fortune Visit the Yoshiwara; or Scenes of Pleasure at the Height of Spring” early 19th century Chōbunsai Eishi Chōbunsai Eishi, an artist of samurai descent who also created prints, illustrated several handscrolls showing patrons traveling to the pleasure quarters of Yoshiwara. In this and other versions, the artist added a twist by transforming some of the visitors into three of the Gods of Good Fortune—Ebisu, Daikoku, and Fukurokuju—and showing them revelling with courtesans in the bordellos. The inspiration for this theme seems to derive from a comic essay Record of the Hidden Village” (Kakurezato no ki”), written by Ōta Nanpo in 1781. At the beginning of the scroll, in the section not shown, the Gods of Good Fortune travel by boat to the pleasure quarters in northeastern Edo (present-day Tokyo). They start at the foot of Yanagi Bridge, disembark at Sanyabori, walk along the Dike of Japan (Nihon Tsutsumi), and finally enter Yoshiwara.. Three Gods of Good Fortun

Eleven Actors Celebrating the Festival of the Shrine of the Soga Brothers Made 1783-1793 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban, nishiki-e, pentaptych . Torii Kiyonaga

Mrs. Tō Isoda Koryūsai Japanese. Mrs. Tō 55939

Developing cocoons, board 9 from the album: Various issues on sericulture /Kaiko yashinai gusa

Ogura imitation of the one hundred poems. Princess Yuki with her father's sword behind her back, looks to a dragon in the waterfall. Scene from a Kabukite team. Poem by Dainagon Kintô.

Twenty-Four Japanese examples or Philial Piety for the Honchôren. The father Hasetukabe learned his sons that they can reach everything when they work together. The continuation of the Chronicles of Japan (Shoku Nihongi) has been compiled by Fujiwara No Tsugutada (727-796) and Sugano No Mamichi (741-814) in 797. With one poem by Harunoya Naritake: this morning Spring begins and smells this morning Seasoned rice wine - three cups are stacked on top of each other for three loved ones.

The Actors Bando Mitsugoro I as Hata no Kawakatsu (right), and Otani Hiroemon III as the Manservant (Yakko) Gansuke (left), in the Play Miya-bashira Iwao no Butai (Shrine Pillars on a Stone Base), Performed at the Morita Theater from the Fifteenth Day of the Seventh Month, 1773 1768-1778 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; diptych . Katsukawa Shunsho

Hotkee at the nuns; Hotoke; Patterns from the past; Kodai Moyo. Three nuns in open hut, looked laving through the arrival of the beautiful hotke, in the foreground with white headscarf. Due to regret about a love relationship, the former dancer Hotkeke decides to act as a non. The white headscarf gives this decision again.

Women Visiting a Tea Stall on the Precincts of a Temple, early 1790s. Chōbunsai Eishi (Japanese, 1756-1829). Color woodblock print; sheet: 39.4 x 25.4 cm (15 1/2 x 10 in.).

Two noh actors. Two noh actors, one with a court hat and impeller in hand, one standing in a boat. With two poems.

Number one: The jewels of Suehiro from the ôgiya, Yashima Gakutei, c. 1827 Suehiro, a high -ranking Courtisane from the Ogiya House, walks with two maids (Kamuro) along the New Year's decorations in Nakanochô, the main street of the Yoshiwara, the pleasure quarter of Edo (current Tokyo). With two poems. This is the right leaf of a five -part, on which high -ranking Courtisanes (Oiran) from the various houses from the Yoshiwara are depicted. Japan paper color woodcut courtesan, hetaera

Courtisane Seyama from the Matsubaya house; Matsubaya Uchi Seyama. Courtisane in kimono with bamboo pattern, standing with Shinzo (Courtisane in training) and two kamuro (youngest help from a courtesane), by veranda of tea house and large lantern.

Two Geishas Out Walking 1739-1820 Kitao Shigemasa Japanese. Two Geishas Out Walking 57095

An Unidentified Actor in the Role of a Samurai 1700-1787 Katsukawa Shunjō Japanese. An Unidentified Actor in the Role of a Samurai 56020

Ogura imitation of the one hundred poems. Moronao with love letter for the married kaoyo behind him. The butterflies stand for marital faith and indicate that Kaoyo does not enter the avances of Moronao. Scene from a Kabukite team. Poem by tayû.

Leaf from a Book Entitled: Wakoku Hiaku-jo: One Hundred Japanese Women Hishikawa Moronobu Japanese. Leaf from a Book Entitled: Wakoku Hiaku-jo: One Hundred Japanese Women 55756

Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō V 1774 Katsukawa Shunshō　川春章 Japanese Danjūrō V plays the role of Fuwa Banzaemon, who is an enemy of Nagoya Sanza. The two are rivals for the love of the same woman. Shown in a pose (mie) at a climactic point of the play, Danjūrō wears a "thunder" robe featuring a striking pattern of lightning, clouds, and the crest of three nested squares; he holds a straw helmet in his hand. Shunshō emphasizes Danjūrō's distinctive nose.. Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō V 55335

Double portrait of Arashi Kichisaburo and Nakamura Utaemon. Double portrait of the actors Arashi Kichisaburo II in the role of prince Koretake (right, in green kimono with dragon motif) and Nakamura Utaemon III as Kato Masakiyo (left, in black and white costume).

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as the Pilgrim Kakuzan in the Play Shitenno Tonoi no Kisewata, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1781 1776-1786 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

Nakamura Noshio II in the Role of Imayō uta Bikuni 1796 (Kansei 8) Katsukawa Shunkaku Japanese. Nakamura Noshio II in the Role of Imayō uta Bikuni 36653

The nobleman; KUGE; A series of ten people; Jinbutsu Jûbantsuzuki. Kugi, a nobleman at the Hof in Kyoto, dressed in Heian style, walks between small pine trees. With one poem.

Temple Festival; The seven komachi and use in the east; Nana komachi azuma fuzoku. evening scene with four women walking towards a fifth woman sitting in a sedan; In the background a temple complex with food stalls and party people with lanterns. (Bijinga)

Onna no Daruma 1835 Keiri Japanese. Onna no Daruma 54325

Parody of a daimyo procession 1800-1812 Japan. Color woodblock print; 1 of 12 sheets (see 1928.391-402) . Utagawa Toyohiro

Boy with a bird on his head Chiharu

Votive Offering 1780-1789 Japan. Color woodblock print; two sheets of oban pentaptych . Katsukawa Shunchô

Nanamaro and His Followers Looking at the Moon in China 19th century Kubo Shunman Japanese. Nanamaro and His Followers Looking at the Moon in China 54923

Scene from the play of Okina. Range along on which five noh actors.

Komachi Praying for Rain ca. 1765 Attributed to Torii Kiyomitsu Japanese This print is a parody of the Kabuki play Komachi Praying for Rain, which is based on the legend of Ono no Komachi, the beautiful poetess of the ninth century. She put a card on which she had written a poem into a miniature boat and released it into a pond to pray for rain at the imperial garden. Thanks to the power of her poetry, the rain started and continued for three days.Although there is no artist's signature, the print has been attributed to Torii Kiyomitsu, the third master of the Torii school and the teacher of Kiyonaga.. Komachi Praying for Rain 51090

Ichikawa Danjūrō V and His Family 1782 Torii Kiyonaga Japanese Kiyonaga depicts Danjūrō V and his family on an outing to a shrine. Danjūrō's son Ebizo, the future Danjūrō VI, is carried on the shoulder of Ichikawa Masugoro, Danjūrō's pupil. The characteristic Danjūrō family crest of three nested squares (mimasu) is scattered over the son's kimono; combined with the character go (five), it is superimposed on the ground pattern of Masugoro's kimono. The father wears a formal black jacket with another Danjūrō family crest, one depicting a carp rising in a waterfall... Ichikawa Danjūrō V and His Family 55966

Actors in the noh theater piece Kokaji; Kokaji; Play a hundred noh; NUAKU HYAKUBAN. Actor in the role of the swordsmith Kokaji Munichika, sitting on a small elevation, in the left hand a sword, in the right hand a hammer. Judge part of dipper.

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