Japanese Woodblock Prints

Vibrant Japanese woodblock prints illustrating cultural scenes, traditional games, and urban life, displaying rich colors and intricate detailing.

Rokudanme | Library of Congress

Dream of the Red Chamber (pinyin: Hóng Lóu Mèng; Wade-Giles: Hung Lou Meng), composed by Cao Xueqin, is one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. It was composed sometime in the middle of the 18th century during the Qing Dynasty. It is a masterpiece of Chinese vernacular literature and is generally acknowledged to be the pinnacle of classical Chinese novels. Red Chamber is believed to be semi-autobiographical, mirroring the fortunes of author Cao Xueqin's own family. As the author details in the first chapter, it is intended to be a memorial to the women he knew in his youth: friends, relatives and servants. The novel is remarkable not only for its huge cast of characters and psychological scope, but also for its precise and detailed observation of the life and social structures typical of 18th-century Chinese aristocracy.

Scroll 2, scene 10. 1650 - 1699. text. Manuscripts, Illustrations. Spencer Collection

Shower at Shōno 1834 Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese. Shower at Shōno 56916

The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kiso Kaid ( Kiso Kaid Rokujky-tsugi) or Sixty-nine Stations of the Kiso Road, is a series of ukiyo-e works created by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) and Keisai Eisen (1790-1848). There are 71 total prints in the series (one for each of the 69 post stations and Nihonbashi; Nakatsugawa-juku has two prints). The common name for the Kiso Kaid is 'Nakasend' or 'Central Mountain Highway', so this series is salso commonly referred to as the Sixty-nine Stations of the Nakasend. The Nakasend was one of the Five Routes constructed under Tokugawa Ieyasu, a series of roads linking the historical capitol of Edo with the rest of Japan. The Nakasend connected Edo with the then-capital of Kyoto. It was an alternate route to the Tkaid and travelled through the central part of Honsh, thus giving rise to its name, which means 'Central Mountain Road'. Along this road, there were sixty-nine different post stations (-shuku or -juku), which prov

First act / prologue, from: the treasury of 47 faithful vassals. .

View of Nihonbashi Tori-itchome (Nihonbashi Tori-itchome ryakuzu), from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei) 1858 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa Hiroshige

Shower-Shelter on the Shore of Tempozan Bay. Artist: Yashima Gakutei (Japanese, 1786-1868). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: H. 10 1/16 in. (25.6 cm); W. 14 13/16 in. (37.6 cm). Date: 1838. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

'Shepherd and Weaver'. China, late 19th - early 20th century. Dimensions: 109x62 cm. Museum: State Hermitage, St. Petersburg.

Arrival of the Korean Embassy in Edo. Torii Kiyonobu I; Japanese, 1664-1729. Date: 1704-1714. Dimensions: 28 x 36.5 cm (11 1/24 x 14 3/8 in.). Woodblock print; oban sumizuri-e, 1 of 6 sheets from a 12-sheet composition (see 1925.2334a-f). Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Enjoying the Cool in a Garden 1783-1795 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban triptych . Kitagawa Utamaro

The Rain Shelter at Nii Hill by the Aji River, Osaka (Osaka Ajigawa Niiyama amayadori), from the series "Famous Places in Osaka: Fine Views of Mount Tenpo (Naniwa meisho Tenpozan shokei ichiran)". Yashima Gakutei; Japanese, 1786 ()-1868. Date: 1829-1839. Dimensions: 25.3 x 36.8 cm. Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Shimada, from the series "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido (Gojusan tsugi)," also known as the Figure Tokaido (Jinbutsu Tokaido). Utagawa Hiroshige ; Japanese, 1797-1858. Date: 1852. Dimensions: 25.4 x 18.1 cm (10 x 7 1/8 in.). Color woodblock print; chuban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Scroll I.. 1501 - 1599. Illustrations, Manuscripts. Spencer Collection

Shunkan, from the series Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue) 1893-1903 Japan. Color woodblock print . Tsukioka Kôgyo

The fog of Sandara: ivory grinder. .

Pleasure-Boating on the Sumida River 1783-1790 Japan. Color woodblock print; Ùban triptych . Kitagawa Utamaro

Working people by Katsushika Hokusai, color woodcut, circa 1830, 1760-1849, Russia, St. Petersburg, State Hermitage

Dong Yong (Toei), from the series Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety as a Mirror for Children (Nijushiko doji kagami) 1838-1848 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Terrace with view on Fuji mountain by Katsushika Hokusai, color woodcut, 1830-1833, 1760-1849, Russia, Moscow, State A. Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, 25x37

Genji Crossing the Oi River. Date/Period: Published in 1862. Print. Ink on paper. Height: 370 mm (14.56 in); Width: 254 mm (10 in). Author: UTAGAWA YOSHITORA.

Daytime in the Gay Quarters Okumura Masanobu (Japanese, 1686-1764). Daytime in the Gay Quarters, ca. 1739. Color woodblock print on paper, 10 3/4 x 15 1/4 in. (27.3 x 38.8 cm). Asian Art ca. 1739

Poem by Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, from the series One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets Explained by an Old Nurse, 1835-36. Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760-1849). Color woodblock print; sheet: 25.8 x 37.8 cm (10 3/16 x 14 7/8 in.). Hokusai designed this print series from the perspective of a confused nurse attempting to illustrate classical poetry, but missing the subtle allusions. This interpretation creates a comical disconnect between poem and image. The poem reads:The wild hill pheasantsDrag their feet and drag their tails,Splendid though they be,Through this long, long weary night,Like me, laying here alone. Considered a god among poets, Kakinomoto no Hitomaro (about 660-739) wrote of an emotionally tiring night. The nurse thought instead of the physically exhausting work of fishermen dragging a net upstream. Smoke billows across the scene, directing our attention to a figure, perhaps the nurse, in the distant house.

Two women and a man in a boat on the river Kunisada, UTAGAWA (1786 1864)

Crossing the Sumida River on New Year's Day. Totoya Hokkei; Japanese, 1780-1850. Date: 1830-1839. Dimensions: 21.1 x 18.2 cm. Color woodblock print; shikishiban, surimono. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Genji Monogatari, Prince Genji's chariot stops on a beach, artist from the Sotatsu school, ukiyo-e style painting, Japan. Japanese Civilisation, 17th century.

Chapter 17; Faithful images of the beautiful prince; Sono Sugata Hikaru No Utsushi-e. Prince Genji leaning over low cupboard, looking at woman with album in hands; second woman a greenhouse; Girl at cupboard with hand rollers. Presentation enclosed by brown edge in which Genji emblems.

Defeat of the army of Gong Sunzan at the river Pan - scene from the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms" (Sanguo zhi yanyi). unknown, painter

'Shepherd and Weaver'. China, late 19th - early 20th century. Dimensions: 109x62 cm. Museum: State Hermitage, St. Petersburg.

GROUP FIGHTING FOR MONEY / OKANE WO HOSHI HITOBITO Utagawa, kuniyoshi (1797 1861)

A Kamezaki Brewer's Celebration of His Good Fortune. Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Japan, 1839-1892). Japan, 1875, April. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print

HODOGAYA, UTAGAWA YOSHITSUYA, 1855-1860 Fighting, half -naked porters, at an inn in the hodogaya stopping place; In the background a mountain landscape with rainbow. Japan paper color woodcut Fighting, half -naked porters, at an inn in the hodogaya stopping place; In the background a mountain landscape with rainbow. Japan paper color woodcut

Upper Floor of the Gankiro in Yokohama (Yokohama Gankiro age) 1860 Japan. Color woodblock print; left sheet of oban triptych . Utagawa Hiroshige II (Shigenobu)

Women Playing Hyakunin Isshu Card Game as One Dreams of a Fox's Wedding. Utagawa Toyokuni I (Japan, 1769-1825). circa 1794-1795. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print; 1 1/2 sheets from a diptych

One of the Soga boys throwing a stone at the enemy, from the series: Illustrated story about the revenge of the Soga brothers /Soga monogatari zue

No 40 Suhara, from the series Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido (Kisokaido rokujukyu tsugi no uchi) 1830-1843 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa Hiroshige

Kanbara, Sixteenth in the series Fifty-three Stations of theT?kaid?. Artist: Katsushika Hokusai, Japanese, 1760-1849

Interior View of a Kabuki Theater Utagawa Toyokuni I (Japanese, 1769-1825). Interior View of a Kabuki Theater, 1793. Woodblock color print, 14 7/8 x 29 15/16 in. (37.8 x 76 cm). Asian Art 1793

Chinese and Tartar Boys Quarreling over a Game of Go. Katsushika Hokusai ; Japanese, 1760-1849. Date: 1785-1795. Dimensions: 38.5 x 26.3 cm (15 3/16 x 10 3/8 in.). Woodblock print; oban, keyblock proof impression. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Kawasaki, Katsushika, Hokusai, 1760-1849, artist, between 1804 and 1818, 1 print : woodcut, color ; 10.9 x 10.7 cm., Print shows a group of people in a boat being ferried across a river.

San-ya (Yaozen) ca. 1840 Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese. San-ya (Yaozen) 55079

Chiriu carrying bales, 1850, Woodcuts, Color, Paper / Sheet 9 13/16 x 14 3/4 in. (25 x 37.5 cm)

Japanese hand coloured woodcut. Image shows a scenic shot of the Asakusa section of Tokyo. People greet each other in the street, as they pass the telegraph bureau and Temple of Sensoji. Dated c1870

Optocht in Kasumigaseki, Hiroshige (II), UTAGAWA, 1862-1866 print Festive parade of decorated cars and groups of people in a street between high buildings and the fence of a park. Cloud patterns on the top and top of the print. Japan paper nishiki-e / color woodcut public festivities (+ parade, pageant, cavalcade ~ festive activities). street (+ city(-scape) with figures, staffage) Or

The New Mint in Shiba (Shiba shin zeniza no zu), from the series Exceptional Views of Edo (Koto shokei) 1830-1844 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa Hiroshige

Lady Su Hui and Her Verse Puzzle China. Lady Su Hui and Her Verse Puzzle. China. Handscroll; ink and color on silk. Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Paintings

. Courtisanes from the Ogiya, looking from a balcony to the moon on the horizon.

Travelers on the road at the bay. Hakone, from the series: Fifty three stops on the Tokaido highway /Tokaido gojusan tsugi Katsushika, hokusai (1760 1849)

New Year's Day at the Ogiya Brothel, Yoshiwara Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760-1849). New Year's Day at the Ogiya Brothel, Yoshiwara, ca. 1810. Polyptych of polychrome woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Each sheet 14 x 10 in. (35.6 x 25.4 cm). Asian Art ca. 1810

A Palace, 1271-1368. China, Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). Album leaf, ink and color on silk; diameter: 26.2 cm (10 5/16 in.).

New Year Street-Performers, from the illustrated kyoka anthology "The Young God Ebisu (Waka Ebisu)". Kitagawa Utamaro ; Japanese, 1753 ()-1806. Date: 1789. Dimensions: . Color woodblock print; double-page illustration from album. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Futagawa, from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido (Gojusan tsugi), also known as the Figure Tokaido (Jinbutsu Tokaido) 1852 Japan. Color woodblock print; chuban . Utagawa Hiroshige

Picture of a Procession of Foreigners at Yokohama 2nd month, 1861 Utagawa Yoshikazu Japanese. Picture of a Procession of Foreigners at Yokohama 73448

Horse Race at the Kamo Shrine, early to mid-1600s. Japan, Edo period (1615-1868). One of a pair of six-panel folding screens, ink and color on gilded paper; image: 161 x 362 cm (63 3/8 x 142 1/2 in.); overall: 176.5 x 377.3 cm (69 1/2 x 148 9/16 in.); closed: 176.5 x 64 x 12.5 cm (69 1/2 x 25 3/16 x 4 15/16 in.).

Double-page Illustration from Vol. 1 of "Picture Book of Spring Brocades (Ehon haru no nishiki)". Suzuki Harunobu ; Japanese, 1725 ()-1770. Date: 1771. Dimensions: 17.9 x 26.9 cm (7 1/16 x 10 9/16 in.). Color woodblock print; double-page illustration from book. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Japan: Operating on a man with an infected eye. Handscroll painting from the Yamai no Soshi (Yamai Zoshi) or 'diseases scroll', mid-12th century CE.

Festival Scenes. Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 11 in. × 10 ft. 13/16 in. (28 × 306.9 cm). Date: 18th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Courtisanes behind the windows. Page 20 and 21 of part one of Utamaro`s book: Events in the Lusthuizen during the year.

Detail of Chinese wallpaper from the artisan life of the Chinese, Chinoiserie, Chinese room, Sala cinese, 18th century, Castle, Castello Govone, architect Guarino Guarini, Baroque, Govone, Roero, Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Europe

LEFT: Shunko or Shunbeni One sheet of a triptych. Street scene at night; two women passing by an archery-shooting gallery; signed Shunk; seal-dated for 4th month 1807. RIGHT: Choki: One sheet (No. 1) of a pentatypch. Evening Cooling; women preparing a meal on a large pleasure boat on the Sumida river; signed Choki; publisher, Tsuta-ya

Enjoying the Cool Summer Evening at Ryogoku Bridge, from an untitled series of Famous Places in Edo Kitao Shigemasa (Japanese, 1739-1820). Enjoying the Cool Summer Evening at Ryogoku Bridge, from an untitled series of Famous Places in Edo, ca. 1770. Color woodblock print on paper, 8 1/2 x 6 1/8 in. (21.6 x 15.5 cm). Asian Art ca. 1770

Colored woodcut by Ando Hiroshige depicting a river crossing, part of a triptych.

The parlor of a brothel in the pleasure quarters 1784-1806 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban triptych . Utagawa Toyokuni I

Men sitting in a room. Sixth and seventh page of part two from Utamaro`s book: Events in the Lusthuizen during the year.

Chinese illustrationes on making paper (18th c.). Chinese art. Qing period. FRANCE. ëLE-DE-FRANCE. Paris. National Library.

Kasumigaseki, from the series "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei)". Utagawa Hiroshige ; Japanese, 1797-1858. Date: 1857. Dimensions: . Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Kawabiraki ca. 1805 Utagawa Toyoharu Japanese. Kawabiraki 55445

Interior of an American Steamship (Amerikakoku jokisen-chu no zu). Utagawa Yoshikazu; Japanese, active c. 1850-70. Date: 1861. Dimensions: . Color woodblock print; oban triptych. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Quarreling and scuffling in a women's bathhouse, Japan.Artist: Yoshiiku

Japanese Scene. Unknown maker, British

'Good Farm'. China, City of Peking, 20th century. Dimensions: 34,5x25 cm. Museum: State Hermitage, St. Petersburg.

Nakano-chō Street in the Shin Yoshiwara Entertainment Quarter. Utagawa Toyoharu (Japan, 1733-1814). Japan, early 1770s. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print

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