Japanese Woodblock Prints

Colorful woodblock prints showcasing elegant figures and intimate dialogues, emphasizing traditional Japanese aesthetics and cultural narratives.

A woman standing near a stream conversing with another woman seated on a bench (Kii no Tamagawa), Idzumiya (Japanese, active late 18th century), 1807, Woodcuts, 15 x 10 in. (38.1 x 25.4 cm)

Hirosada, work, Unknown actor, character Okatsu, woodcut, graphics, chuban

Handscroll of Ten Homoerotic (Nanshoku) Scenes Miyagawa Chshun Japanese early 18th century Although during the Edo period there was no taboo or stigma associated with male-male sexual liaisons, and many famous writers, artists and other celebrities were known to have same-sex lovers, there are very few surviving deluxe paintings capturing such scenes as found in this handscroll (figs. 1a-j). Erotica known as shunga, spring pictures, in the Japanese tradition was often presented in deluxe handscrolls as here, or in printed form, and was produced in great quantities through early modern times. Often a few scenes of male-male sex were integrated into handscrolls, albums or illustrated books devoted to erotica; to have an entire work dedicated to homoerotic liaisons, however, is rare.By definition, artists of the Ukiyo-e school portrayed images of courtesans or recognizable Kabuki actors. Nearly all of Chshuns surviving paintingshe did not design woodblock printscapture images of beautifu

Group of four wrestlers Kunisada, UTAGAWA (1786 1864)

Oiran courtesans and maid (kamuro) walking in the pleasure quarters. Woodblock print by Masanobu Okumura (1686-1764) from Fuzoku Emakimono, Picture Scroll of the Water Trade, Tokyo, reprint circa 1880.

Matsumoto Koshiro leaping through a wall, Woodblock print in colored ink on paper, An animated samurai, Matsumoto Koshiro is leaping through a hole in a wall with his sword in mid-swing above his head. Notice how this exhilarating print elegantly framed with bamboo leaves complements the organic shape of the punched hole., Japan, ca. 1835, theater, Print, Print

Nihon Bridge (Nihonbashi), 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

The Actor Otani Hiroji III as a White Fox Disguised as Ukishima Daihachi in the Play Shinasadame Soma no Mombi, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Seventh Month, 1770. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1765-1775. Dimensions: 31.7 x 14.6 cm (12 1/2 x 5 3/4). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Young woman with parasol in falling snow. Coloured woodblock print from the series Snow, Moon and Flowers, c1812. Katsukawa Shunsen (c1762-1830).

Women taking a daimyo's son for a ride upon a hobby horse, Eijudo (Japanese, active 18th century), 1805, Woodcuts, One sheet of a triptych, Image 15 x 10 in. (38.1 x 25.4 cm)

The Story of Shiraito, a Courtesan of the Hashimoto House. Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Japan, 1839-1892). Japan, 1886, February. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print

Two Geisha Holding a Shamisen and a Song Book 1772-1782 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Kitao Shigemasa

Midnight: Mother and Sleepy Child. Artist: Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, ca. 1754-1806). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 14 3/8 x 9 5/8 in. (36.5 x 24.4cm). Date: 1790.Kitagawa Utamaro, one of the most prolific artists of the genre of portrayal of beautiful women, was extremely interested in images of mother and child in daily life. This print belongs to a series entitled Fuzoku Bijin Tokei (Women's Daily Customs). To illustrate midnight, Utamaro has chosen a mother who sleepily emerges from her mosquito net to attend to her child, who rubs the sleep from his eyes. The personal, quotidian nature of the subject exemplifies the new interest in the individual that emerged during the Edo period. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Stormy day on the Sumida river; Eight faces on edo. Woman, jerking to bundle, between falling blossom leaves; In the background water and a tree with blossom. (Bijinga)

Shunga - erotic woodblock print from the album "Picture book: Models of Couples" (Ehon tsuhi-no hinagata). Katsushika, Hokusai (1760-1849), graphic artist

Woman with rice wine cup The seven refuse the bamboo forest for the Shôfûdai poetry association (series title) Shôfûdai shichiken no uchi (series title on object), A woman with a red-lacquered rice wine cup. With two poems, Katsushika Hokusai (mentioned on object), Japan, 1800 - 1810, paper, colour woodcut, h 201 mm × w 84 mm

Couple Playing a Kokyū Together Suzuki Harunobu (Japanese, 1724-1770). Couple Playing a Kokyū Together, ca. 1768-1769. Color woodblock print on paper, 10 1/2 x 7 3/4 in. (26.7 x 19.7 cm). Asian Art ca. 1768-1769

Prince Genji, an elegantly dressed woman and a maid, Japanese print, Kunisada (I), Utagawa, Kinugasa Fusajiro, Murata Heiemon, 1851 - 1853

Two Courtesans, 1753-1806. Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806). Color woodblock print; sheet: 38.2 x 25.8 cm (15 1/16 x 10 3/16 in.).

The Suruga District in the Eastern Capital (Toto Suruga-cho), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fuji sanjurokkei) 1858 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa Hiroshige

Triptych of Kabuki Actors (2), Utagawa Toyokuni II (Tokyo, Japan, 1777 - 1835) 1825-1830

The Actor Nakamura Noshio II, in Female Role, Holding a Shakuhachi (Bamboo Flute) 1796 (Kansei, 6th year) Katsushika Hokusai Japanese. The Actor Nakamura Noshio II, in Female Role, Holding a Shakuhachi (Bamboo Flute) 56019

Chinese Poet 1756-1770 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban, mizu-e . Suzuki Harunobu

Double-page Illustration from Vol. 2 of "Picture Book of Spring Brocades (Ehon haru no nishiki)". Suzuki Harunobu ; Japanese, 1725 ()-1770. Date: 1771. Dimensions: 17.9 x 26.8 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.

Lives of Great People of the Occident (Taisei ijin den): Richard Arkwright, (1732-1792). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: Image: 13 x 9 1/8 in. (33 x 23.2 cm). Date: ca. 1870. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

. The print is a copy, no original is known. No poems.

Courtisane Seyama UIT HET HET MATSUBAYA HUIS, HOSODA EISHI, 1790-1795 print Courtisane in Kimono with bamboo pattern, standing with Shinzo (Courtisane in training) and two Kamuro (latest help from a Courtisane), at Veranda van Theehuis and Grote Lantaarn. print maker: Japanpublisher: Tokyo paper courtesan, hetaera

Furyu kitsune ken (The elegant fox game), Wood engraving on paper, 1824, Kikugawa Eizan hitsu, Museo de Bellas Artes, Bilbao, Spain.

Twenty-four Japanese examples of filial piety for the Honors (series title), The father Hasetsukabe taught his sons that they can achieve anything if they just 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, among others. With one poem by Harunoya Naritake: to spiced rice wine - three cups are stacked on top of each other for three beloved children., Yashima Gakutei (mentioned on object), Japan, 1820 - 1825, paper, colour woodcut, h 200 mm × w 181 mm

Hotei at the ford, 1767, Woodcuts, 10 x 7 3/8 in. (25.4 x 18.7 cm)

Actors on scaffold; others watch., 1855, Woodcuts, Tissue backing; two prints mounted together, Paper / Sheet 14 1/8 x 9 13/16 in. (35.8 x 25 cm)

The Actor Otani Hiroemon III Katsukawa Shunko (Japanese, 1743-1812). The Actor Otani Hiroemon III, 1780. Color woodblock print on paper, 12 3/8 x 6 3/4 in. (31.4 x 14.5 cm). Asian Art 1780

Japan, Yafuji, Senrôan, Hokuba, Teisai, Meihitsu onnae soroi, A collection of famous paintings in the 'feminine' style, Gojôgo, Fujiwara no Junshi, Three seated court ladies at a windbreak, one holding an unrolled painting. Fujiwara no Junshi (809-71), also known as Gojô nyôgo, was the wife of Emperor Ninmyô (reigned 833-50). With one poem., print, prent, surimono, prints, pictures, Japan (collection), height 133 mm, width 181 mm, Japanese, 1771 - 1844, print maker, printmaker, 1800 - 1805, first quarter 19th century, paper, colour woodcut, colour woodblock, blind printing, poet

The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II as Soga no Dozaburo () in the Play Kamuri Kotoba Soga no Yukari (), Performed at the Ichimura Theater () in the First Month, 1776 (). Katsukawa Shunko I; Japanese, 1743-1812. Date: 1771-1781. Dimensions: 29 x 13.6 cm (11 7/16 x 5 3/8 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; left sheet of diptych. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Fish-monger. Artist: Torii Kiyonaga (Japanese, 1752-1815). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: H. 10 1/16 in. (25.6 cm); W. 7 9/16 in. (19.2 cm). Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Lady and dog, 1801 - 1825, Woodcuts

Taizhenwang Furen Playing One-String Chin, Encircled by Dragon. Yashima Gakutei (Japan, c. 1786-c.1855). Japan, 19th century. Prints; woodblocks. Surimono; color woodblock print

Market place, 1928, by Maud Sherwood. Gift of Mrs T.W. McDonald and Mrs W.J. Hutchison, the artist's sister and niece, 1960.

Japan: A double bust portrait showing the courtesans Takigawa and Hanaogi from the Yoshiwara house Ogaya. Woodblock print by Kikukawa Eizan (1787-1867), 1808. Kikukawa Eizan was a designer of ukiyo-e style Japanese woodblock prints. He first studied with his father, Eiji, a minor painter of the Kano school. He then studied with Suzuki Nanrei (1775-1844), an artist of the Shijo school. He is believed to have also studied with the ukiyo-e artist Totoya Hokkei (1790-1850). He produced numerous woodblock prints of beautiful women in the 1830s, but then abandoned printmaking in favor of painting.

Scene from a Noh Play, early 1700s. Japan, Edo period (1615-1868). Hanging scroll; ink, color and gold on paper; overall: 158.8 x 62.2 cm (62 1/2 x 24 1/2 in.); painting only: 77.2 x 40.7 cm (30 3/8 x 16 in.).

Walking in the Garden, from the series Chiyoda Inner Palace Toyohara Chikanobu (Japanese, 1838-1912). Walking in the Garden, from the series Chiyoda Inner Palace, 1896. Woodblock print, R:14 x 9 3/8 in. (35.6 x 23.8 cm). Asian Art 1896

The actor Sawamura Tanosuke in the role of a woman on the background of a fence and flowers /Sawamura Sojuro III Utagawa, toyokuni (1769 1825)

Erotic Print Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese. Erotic Print 56710

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839 - 9 June 1892) one of the last great masters of the classical Japanese colour woodcut, here the work A Glimpse of the Moon, Kaoyo

LAMINA DE PINTURA CHINA SOBRE PAPEL ESTILO YANG- POETA Y CORTESANA YANG YING 1470/1523. Location: MUSEO PALACIO NACIONAL. Tapei. Taiwan.

Ichikawa Hakuen as Gengobei with Nakamura Matsue as Sakumo, 1820-30. By Ryusai Shigeharu. The actor Ichikawa Hakuen (Danjuro VII) as man with carp fan, Gengobei. Nakamura Matsue as female character Sakumo.

Japan, Gekkô, Ogata, Dreaming of marriage, Woman with a fan, sitting on a bench under willow branches; a wedding procession in a cloud pattern, print, prints, Japan (collection), height 241 mm, width 250 mm, Japanese, 1859 - 1920, print maker, printmaker, 1900 - 1910, first quarter 20st century, first quarter 20th century, paper, silver powder, colour woodcut

Noji Jewel River in Omi Province (Omi Noji-no tamagawa); print from the series Shokoku roku tamagawa (6 Jewel Rivers in Various Provinces). Utagawa, Hiroshige II (1826-1869), graphic artist

The Actors Nakamura Shikan and Sawamura Kintaro in Unidentified Roles Hokuei (Japanese, active ca.1824-1837). The Actors Nakamura Shikan and Sawamura Kintaro in Unidentified Roles, ca. 1835. Color woodblock print on paper, 14 7/8 x 10 1/4 in. (37.8 x 26 cm). Asian Art ca. 1835

Lin Xiangru and Kojima Takanori, from the series "Five Sibling Pictures of China and Japan for the Zakurogaki Group (Zakurogaki-ren goban no uchi wakan e-kyodai)". Katsushika Hokusai ; Japanese, 1760-1849. Date: 1821. Dimensions: 21.3 x 18.3 cm. Color woodblock print; shikishiban, surimono. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Yatsushi takajo, Transformed falconry., Utagawa, Toyohiro, 1773-1829, artist, [between 1798 and 1801, 1 print : woodcut, color ; 34.1 x 26 cm., Print shows two men walking, one with a falcon on his left arm.

"Ni": Akutagawa, from the series "Tales of Ise in Fashionable Brocade Pictures (Furyu nishiki-e Ise monogatari)". Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1767-1778. Dimensions: 9 x 6 1/4 in. Color woodblock print; koban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Inue Shinbyoe Masashi, from the series "Eight Hundred Heroes of the Japanese Water Margin (Honcho Suikoden goyu happyakunin no hitori)". Utagawa Kuniyoshi; Japanese, 1797-1861. Date: 1831-1841. Dimensions: 37.0 x 24.6 cm (14 9/16 x 9 11/16 in.). Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Summer scene Natsu kei (title on object) The four seasons in the South (series title) Minami shiki (series title on object), Six courtesans and a young man, hanging over balustrade, in room of teahouse overlooking bay where people, beating large drums, push a Shinto shrine through the water., Toyokuni (II), Utagawa (mentioned on object), 1785 - 1790, paper, colour woodcut, h 391 mm × w 253 mm × h 383 mm × w 254 mm

Japan, Gakutei, Yashima, Mitate shichifukujin, A parody of the Seven Gods of Happiness, Benten, The Goddess Benten, A courtesan looking like the Goddess Benten plays a Japanese lute (biwa). The print is an a-copy from the Meiji period (1868-1912), the original design dates from c. 1828., print, image, surimono, prints, images, Japan (collection), height 209 mm, width 186 mm, Work conception, Japanese, 1786 - 1868, after a print by, 1868 - 1912, paper, colour woodcut, colour woodblock print, blind printing

Love pair, 1800 - 1899 print The woman is leaning back. The man has already put his hand between her bare thighs. paper color woodcut (lovers) caressing each other

Lovers Osome and Hisamatsu Frustrated, Utamaro, Kitagawa, 1795

Three Beauties Viewing Cherry Blossoms late 18th-19th century Attributed to Chbunsai Eishi Japanese. Three Beauties Viewing Cherry Blossoms. Attributed to Chbunsai Eishi (Japanese, 1756-1829). Japan. late 18th-19th century. Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk. Edo period (1615-1868). Paintings

Suruga-chō in the Eastern Capital. Utagawa Hiroshige (Japan, Edo, 1797-1858). Japan, 1858, 4th month. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print

Young Woman with Youth and Young Attendant: Taifu, from Furyu Jinrin Juniso Isoda Koryusai (Japanese, ca. 1766-1788). Young Woman with Youth and Young Attendant: Taifu, from Furyu Jinrin Juniso, late 18th century. Color woodblock print on paper, 8 5/8 x 6 3/16 in. (21.9 x 15.7 cm). Asian Art late 18th century

Lovers Leaving a Room 1679-1703 Japan. Woodblock print; oban, sumizuri-e . Sugimura Jihei

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

Torii Kiyonaga (1752-1815) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist from the Torii school. Born as Sekiguchi Shinsuke in Edo, he enrolled into the Torii school at a young age, where he would eventually succeed his master Torii Kiyomitsu as head of the school. Kiyonaga was considered one of the great masters of the nishiki-e print and of bijinga, images of beautiful courtesans and women. He also produced a great many prints of kabuki actors and other theatre-related subjects, as well as producing shunga (erotic images).

Discussion, Chinese Prints

Enjoying the view from Atago hill (Atago yama cho_bo_), Japanese Prints - Hiroshige

The Autumn Moon at Tokaiji (Tokaiji no shugetsu), from the series "Eight Fashionable Views of the Shinagawa (Furyu Shinagawa hakkei)". Isoda Koryusai; Japanese, 1735-1790. Date: 1768-1780. Dimensions: 25 1/4 x 4 5/8 in. Color woodblock print; hashira-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Japan: 'Russians enjoying themselves on Sunday in Yokohama'. Woodblock print by Utagawa Sadahide (1807-1878/1879), 1861. Utagawa Sadahide, also known as Gountei Sadahide, was a Japanese artist best known for his prints in the ukiyo-e style as a member of the Utagawa school. His prints covered a wide variety of genres; amongst his best known are his Yokohama-e pictures of foreigners in Yokohama in the 1860s, a period when he was a best-selling artist. He was a member of the Tokugawa shogunate's delegation to the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris.

Nose river in ômi, number two; Ômi - Sono ni; The six jewelry rivers; Mutamagawa no uchi. Woman holds a man to belt. The woman is from the lowest rank of prostitutes, night habic (Yotaka) who walked past the rivers in Edo at night with their sleeping mat. With two poems.

ígiya Hanaí´gi = [ígiya Hanaí´gi (picture riddle), Kitagawa, Utamaro (1753?-1806), (Artist), Date Created: 1795.

Japan, Manmori, Hakumôsha, Shûgyo, Shunryûsha, Gakutei, Yashima, Katsushika sakuratsukushi, A series of cherry blossoms for the Katsushika poets' association, Yôshisakura, The Yang Kuei-fei cherry blossom, passe-partout, lower left - printed, Yang Kuei-fei (719-56), known as Yôkihi in Japan, was the favorite concubine of the Chinese T'ang emperor Hsüan Tsung (685-762). The cherry blossom (Yôkihisakura) named after her is said to have originated in the city of Nara. With two poems, one poem tells of the origin of the cherry blossom: The cherry blossom known as the Yôkihi comes from China - therefore it blooms in the spring in the Yoshino Mountains - and these are, indeed, south of Nara., surimono, prints, Japan (collection), verso - stamped, height 218 mm, width 182 mm, Japanese, 1786 - 1868, print maker, printmaker, 1821 - 1822, first quarter 19th century, paper, colour woodcut, colour woodblock print, blind stamping, poet

A walk along a pond, Japanese print, Anonymous, 1850 - 1900

A Matchmaking Meeting at a Teahouse by a Shrine Torii Kiyonaga (Japanese, 1752-1815). A Matchmaking Meeting at a Teahouse by a Shrine, circa 1784. Color woodblock print, 9 7/8 x 14 15/16 in. (25.1 x 38.0 cm). Asian Art circa 1784

Preparatory Drawing for an Illustration of the Book: Mirror of Famous Japanese Generals. Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Japan, 1839-1892). Japan, 1882, February 16. Drawings. Ink and color on paper

Visiting the Fudō Temple Katsukawa Shunsho (Japanese, 1726-1793). Visiting the Fudō Temple, ca. 1790. Color woodblock print on paper, 15 x 10 in. (38.1 x 25.5 cm). Asian Art ca. 1790

French Woman Admiring Goldfish at a Shop in Yokohama (Yokohama no shokan ni Furansujin kingyo wo moteasobu zu) 1861 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa Sadahide

'Beauties Celebrate Snowflakes'. China, late 19th - early 20th century. Dimensions: 61x107 cm. Museum: State Hermitage, St. Petersburg.

In breast biting man, 1815 - 1823 print Naked man, corrosive in the chest of his love partner. paper color woodcut man and woman cohabiting

Kinko echizen, Omori, Yoshikiyo, artist, between 1700 and 1704, 1 print : woodcut ; 24.9 x 34.7 cm., Kinko and Echizen. Two women, one seated writing a letter, the other pulling back the hair of a man sitting in front of a mirror, possibly an actor applying makeup.

Worosiiazin yukoRussians Strolling. Artist: Utagawa Yoshifuji (Japanese, 1828-1887). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 14 x 9 1/2 in. (35.6 x 24.1 cm). Date: February 1861. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Two Children Playing with Goldfish. Artist: Kawanabe Kyosai (Japanese, 1831-1889). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 14 1/4 x 10 3/8 in. (36.2 x 26.4 cm). Date: ca. 1887. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Mirror of the Officials of the Empire, 1882, Woodcuts, Color, Paper / Sheet 13 7/8 x 9 5/8 in. (35.3 x 24.5 cm)

'Youth and Age', c1887, (1901). Artist: Mortimer L Menpes.

Cromo francés Au Bon Marché con ilustración del cuento Riquete del Copete. Años 1900.

The Bath 1890-1891 United States. Color drypoint, aquatint and softground etching from two plates, printed la poupÈe, on ivory laid paper . Mary Cassatt

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