Traditional Japanese Woodblock Prints

Elegant woodblock prints capturing traditional Japanese actors and cultural motifs, showcasing intricate patterns and timeless artistry.

Seated singer in decorated robe with swimming sea plovermotif. Artist: Totoya Hokkei, Japanese, 1780-1850

Young Woman Carrying a Wine-Pot for the New Year Ceremony. Artist: Katsukawa Shuntei (Japanese, 1770-1820). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 7 3/4 x 7 1/4 in. (19.7 x 18.4 cm). Date: ca. 1815. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II in an Unidentified Role 1780-1784 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as the Hairdreser Komagata Ikkaku in the Play Fuji no Yuki Kaikei Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the First Month, 1770. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1765-1775. Dimensions: 32.5 x 15 cm (12 13/16 x 5 7/8 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Lady Komachi. Artist: Suzuki Harunobu (Japanese, 1725-1770). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: H. 11 in. (27.9 cm); W. 8 1/4 in. (21 cm). Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Senkanja Ushiwakasaburō Yoshitora Riding on a Feather. Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Japan, 1839-1892). Japan, 1867, 8th month. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print

The oiran Segawa and Matsuto, accompanied by attendants, in the house called Matsubaya., 1783, Woodcuts, Half of double page spread from album, 15 x 10 in. (38.1 x 25.4 cm)

Murasaki Shikibu Bird, from the series Famous Women and Their Poems on Flowers, Birds, Wind, and Moon (Meifu eika kacho fugetsu) 1800-1810 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Kitagawa Utamaro

The Actor Ichikawa Tsunazo, from "A Picture Book of Stage Fans (Ehon butai ogi)". Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1770. Dimensions: 9 5/8 x 6 in. Color woodblock print; page from illustrated book. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Scene from a Drama ca. 1804 Utagawa Toyokuni I Japanese. Scene from a Drama 55421

Lady Threading Needle on Verandah. Artist: Yashima Gakutei (Japanese, 1786-1868). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 8 7/16 x 7 3/8 in. (21.4 x 18.7 cm). Date: 19th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The Love Letter Kitao Masanobu (1761-1816 Japanese) British Museum, London, England

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in an Unidentified Role. Katsukawa Shunko I; Japanese, 1743-1812. Date: 1771-1781. Dimensions: 31 x 15.3 cm (12 3/16 x 6 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; from a multisheet composition (). Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Courtesan with her poem. Suzuki Harunobu (Japan, circa 1725-1770). Japan, 1770. Prints; woodblocks. Page from a color woodblock printed book

The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Kajiwara Genta no Kagetoki (), in the Play Myoto-giku Izu no Kisewata, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1770. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1767-1777. Dimensions: 17.5 x 14.1 cm (6 7/8 x 5 9/16 in.). Color woodblock print; from the illustrated book Yakusha Kuni no Hana (Prominent Actors of Japan). Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Busteportret Van Een Samoerai, Utagawa Kunisada (i), 1824 print A bust portrait of actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VII (1791-1859) in the role of Samurai Iga No Jutarô with raised sword. Scene from the play Yama Yama Hana No Yamagatsu, which was performed in the Ichimura Theater in Edo in 1823. With three poems, including one of the actor himself: "It fills me with great joy when I look at the air and see a kite with the Mimasu Wapen." The Mimasu Wapen is the family sign of the Ichikawa family. Japan paper color woodcut / polishing portrait of actor, actress. hacking and thrusting weapons: sword

The Actor Ichikawa Uzayemon IX 1724-1785 in a Female Role Ippitsusai Bunchō Japanese. The Actor Ichikawa Uzayemon IX 1724-1785 in a Female Role 56083

The Actor Bando Sampachi I as Yawata no Saburo ( ) in the Play Shuen Soga Omugaeshi ( ), Performed at the Ichimura Theater ( ) in the Second Month, 1768 ( ) 1763-1773 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban; probably one sheet of a five-sheet print . Katsukawa Shunsho

Actor. Utagawa Toyokuni I (Japan, 1769-1825). circa 1800. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print

The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII 1826 Japan. Color woodblock print; right sheet of oban diptych (left 1937.251) . Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)

New Year Greeting Card for "Rat" Year 1828 Yanagawa Shigenobu Japanese. New Year Greeting Card for "Rat" Year 54375

Actor in the role of a man with a bow and swords in a scabbard made from tiger skin Shunkôsai (fl. 1824 1837)

Memorial Portrait of the Actor Segawa Kikunojo V 1832 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Kunisada, work, Actors Onoe Baiko and Kataoka Nizaemon VIII in the play Kanadeho chusingura (Faithful vassals), 1860, color woodblock print, graphics

The Hobby Horse Dance (harugoma odori) 1745-1755 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban, benizuri-e . Ishikawa Toyonobu

The Oystercatcher Dance (Miyakodori), from the series "Beautiful Dance Customs (Adesugata odori fuzoku)". Kitao Shigemasa; Japanese, 1739-1820. Date: 1773-1783. Dimensions: 12 1/2 x 8 3/4 in. Color woodblock print; chuban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The actor Sawamura Sojuro III as Kujaku Saburo Narihira. Toshusai Sharaku ; Japanese, active 1794-95. Date: 1794. Dimensions: 32.7 x 15.5 cm. Color woodblock print; left sheet of hosoban diptych. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Woman with Wine Cup, Kuniyoshi, Utagawa, 1853

The Actor, Arashi Otohachi, 1695-1769 in an Unidentified Role Tsunegawa Shigenobu Japanese. The Actor, Arashi Otohachi, 1695-1769 in an Unidentified Role 56106

Japan: Traditional crafts and trades of the 18th century from a hand-painted album by an anonymous artist. Folio 41. Hand-coloured illustration from a Japanese miscellany on traditional trades, crafts and customs in mid-18th century Japan, dated Meiwa Era (1764-1772) Year 6 (c. 1770 CE).

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III in an Unidentified Role. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1770-1780. Dimensions: 31.2 x 14.2 cm (12 5/16 x 5 9/16 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Woman Beside a Cherry Tree. Artist Unknown; Japanese. Date: 1683-1695. Dimensions: 55.7 x 32.0 cm (21 1/4 x 12 in.). Hand-colored woodblock print; vertical o-oban, tan-e. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Spring Dancers (Manzai), early to mid-1800s. Miyagawa Chōshun (Japanese, 1683-1753). Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper; painting only: 84.1 x 31.4 cm (33 1/8 x 12 3/8 in.). Manzai is the Japanese term for wandering comic dancers. The painting depicts one of the traditional pleasures of the spring season.

Imamurasaki, a Prostitute of the Kinpei Daikoku House. Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Japan, 1839-1892). Japan, 1887, March. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print

The Actor Kawarazaki Gonjuro I (1838-1903) as Osarabakuzo Denji, from the series "Thieves in Designs of the Time" Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786-1865). 1859. Color woodblock print on paper, 14 5/8 x 10 1/16 in. (37.1 x 25.6 cm). Asian Art 1859

Kataoka Nizaemon VII and Ichikawa Yaozo III in a Confrontation Beside a Waterfall, c. 1797. Utagawa Toyokuni (Japanese, 1769-1825). Color woodblock print; sheet: 36.2 x 24.5 cm (14 1/4 x 9 5/8 in.).

The actor Arashi Tokusaburo changes his name in Arashi Kitsusaburo II and plays the role of Hyogonomoki Yorimasa from the play Yorimasa Nue Monogatari, 1822 print The actor Arashi Tokusaburo changes his name in Arashi Kitsusaburo II and plays the role of Hyogonomoki Yorimasa (9/1822) from the play Yorimasa Nue Monogatari. In the Cartouche the actor Arashi Kitsusaburo I (Rikan I) as Hyogonokami Yorimasa (9/1821) in the play Yorimasa Nue Monogatari. Naka Theater. The poem by Kitsusaburo II is: grateful for my teachers' benefit richly on my rain hat as a sudden autumn shower. Added to that the text: I was able to accept the name of my teacher at the first commemoration of his day of death. paper color woodcut actor (on the stage). ornament ~ cartouche. portrait of actor, actress

Ogura imitation of the one hundred poems. The thief Hakamadara Yasusuku in stolen clothing and on his back a coffin in which his loot is. Scene from a Kabukite team. Poem by fujiwara no Tadamichi.

Empress Jitō with a small court / jitō tennō, from a series: from one hundred poets one stanza / hyakunin Isshu no uchi Utagawa, kuniyoshi (1797 1861)

Oiran, between 1818 and 1830, 1 print : woodcut, color ; 20.6 x 18.2 cm., Print shows an oiran, a high-class courtesan, full-length portrait, standing, facing left.

Japan, Hanko, Kajita, Woman reading with a flowering branch, verso - stamped, A woman reading in a circle, which functions as a window. In front of it is a flowering branch., print, kuchi-e, prints, Japan (collection), height 221 mm, width 304 mm, Japanese, 1870 - 1917, print maker, printmaker, 1900 - 1917, first quarter 20st century, first quarter 20th century, paper, silver powder, colour woodcut

Love poem for Iwai Kumesaburo; Iwai KumesAburo; A look behind the scenes at the actors; Yakusha gakuya tsu. Bust portrait of the actor Iwai Kumesaburo I, in woman role, as Courtisane in blue and red kimono, depicted under a love poem aimed at him. Leaf from the Japanese book Yakusha Gakuya Tsu.

Matsumoto Koshiro IV as the Fish Peddler Gorobei Probably late 1880s or early 1890s After Tshsai Sharaku Japanese Gorobei is a fish peddler with a most conscientious and thoughtful disposition. His pose and his hand gesture, holding his pipe to his chin, are conventional Kabuki signs for characters immersed in thought. In this scene, Gorobei is planning his strategy for rescuing a friend in trouble.. Matsumoto Koshiro IV as the Fish Peddler Gorobei. After Tshsai Sharaku (Japanese, active 1794-95). Japan. Probably late 1880s or early 1890s. Woodblock print; ink and color on paper with mica ground. Edo period (1615-1868). Prints

Naritaya Sansho (The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VI as Arakawa Taro Takesada) 1794 Japan. Color woodblock print; aiban . Tôshûsai Sharaku

Japan: 'Portraits and Poems of the Thirty-six Poetic Immortals'. Album of thirty-six paintings and poems by Sumiyoshi Gukei (1631-1705). Sumiyoshi Gukei (1631 - April 23, 1705), born Sumiyoshi Hirozumi, was a Japanese painter from Kyoto. He became the first official painter of the ruling Tokugawa shogunate, and was a Yamato-e artist, a painting technique based on traditional Japanese subjects and culture.

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839 - 9 June 1892) one of the last great masters of the classical Japanese colour woodcut, here the work A Cuckoo Calls, Takao

Memorial portrait of the actor Onoe Kikunosuke II 1897 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Toyohara Kunichika

The Actor Sawamura Sojuro III as Sonobe Zaemon in the play Shin Usuyuki Monogatari, performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eighth Month, 1779 1774-1784 Japan. Color woodblock print; left sheet of hosoban triptych . Katsukawa Shunsho

The actor Segawa Kikunojo III as the shop boy Chokichi. Utagawa Toyokuni I ; Japanese, 1769-1825. Date: 1796. Dimensions: 15 1/4 x 10 1/4 in. Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA. Author: Utagawa Toyokuni I.

Fashionable Beauties in a Chrysanthemum Garden (Furyu bijin kikubatake). Kikukawa Eizan; Japanese, 1787-1867. Date: 1805-1815. Dimensions: 37.6 x 26.5 cm (14 13/16 x 10 7/16 in.). Color woodblock print; right sheet of oban triptych. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Seated Beauty. Tosendô Rifû; Japanese, active c. 1730. Date: 1725-1735. Dimensions: 66.4 x 25.6 cm. Hanging scroll; ink and colors on silk. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Portrait of Oboshi Yuranosuke Yoshio (The Leader) 1852 Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese The samurai in this print wears a jacket and chest protector similar in form to the two exhibited here. He is Oboshi Yuranosuke, the hero of The Treasury of Loyal Retainers (Chushingura), a beloved play that became an influential part of Edo popular culture. Based on a historical event, Chushingura tells the story of forty-seven loyal retainers whose lord was goaded into impropriety by an associate and then forced to commit ritual suicide. The retainers, led by Yuranosuke, bide their time and finally take revenge. Yuranosuke is seen here in the final act of the play after the entire group has attacked the residence of the former associate and avenged their lord's death. The banner Yuranosuke carries commemorates one of the retainers, Hayano Kanpei, who died in the attack.. Portrait of Oboshi Yuranosuke Yoshio (The Leader) 55716

Memorial Portrait of the Actor Onoe Kikugoro IV. Utagawa School; Japanese, 19th century. Date: 1860. Dimensions: . Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Danshichi Kurobei, back, 1849 print Play player Nakamura Tamashichi I in the role of Danshichi Kurobei, in the play "Natumatsuri Naniwa Kagami", performed in the seventh month of 1849 in the Kado Theater. The text on the right comes from members of an actor fan club, the text on the left is by Ichimaru. paper color woodcut portrait of actor, actress. adult man. hacking and thrusting weapons: sword

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Prince Koreakira, Younger Brother of Emperor Go-Toba, in the Play Gohiiki Kanjincho (Your Favorite Play Kanjincho The Subscription List), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the First Day of the Eleventh Month, 1773. Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1768-1778. Dimensions: 32.5 x 14.9 cm (12 13/16 x 5 7/8 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

Woman Walking under a Cherry Tree, 18th century, Komai Ki, 35 7/8 × 12 in. (91.12 × 30.48 cm) (image)70 × 16 5/8 in. (177.8 × 42.23 cm) (mount, without roller), Ink, colors, and gold on silk, Japan, 18th century

Memorial portrait of the actor Arashi Rikan III. Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III); Japanese, 1786-1864. Date: 1863. Dimensions: . Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Girl and Snowball, Suzuki Harunobu, 1763 - 1767 Girl with hands by mouth, standing in snow at large snowball; Bamboo snowy in the background. Left leaf of diptych (complete). Japan paper color woodcut Girl with hands by mouth, standing in snow at large snowball; Bamboo snowy in the background. Left leaf of diptych (complete). Japan paper color woodcut

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Kudo Saemon Suketsune () in the Play Sakai-cho Soga Nendaiki (), Performed at the Nakamura Theater () in the First Month, 1771 (). Katsukawa Shunsho ; Japanese, 1726-1792. Date: 1766-1776. Dimensions: 30.1 x 14.6 cm (11 7/8 x 5 3/4 in.). Color woodblock print; hosoban; from a multisheet composition. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, USA.

The Ninth Month (Ku gatsu), from the series "Fashionable Twelve Months (Furyu junikagetsu)". Utagawa Toyokuni I ; Japanese, 1769-1825. Date: 1788-1798. Dimensions: 10 3/8 x 7 1/2 in. Color woodblock print; chuban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Descending Geese at Katada (Katada rakugan), from the series "Fashionable Eight Views of Omi (Furyu Omi hakkei)". Kikukawa Eizan; Japanese, 1787-1867. Date: 1809-1822. Dimensions: 15 x 10 3/16 in. Color woodblock print; oban. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Saito Sanemori in the Play Kitekaeru Nishiki no Wakayaka, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1780 1775-1785 Japan. Color woodblock print; hosoban . Katsukawa Shunsho

Print. Artist: Utagawa Kunisada (Japanese, 1786-1865). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: Image: 13 5/8 × 9 5/8 in. (34.6 × 24.4 cm). Date: 19th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

PAARD: Ji, yashima gakutei, c. 1827 Girl washes a large lacquered tray at a water bowl. Drawing of Horse and ôji (suburb of Edo). With three poems. Japan paper color woodcut plants; vegetation (+ flowers, blossom, blossoming)

Benkei Dazaemon by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) Japanese designer of ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Dated 1820

Smoke Break, Japanese Prints

Lady with pipe, book, and brazier., 1770, Woodcuts, Page from book

Japan: A God of the Sumiyoshi Sanjin, from an untitled series of the 'Three Gods of Japanese Poetry' (waka sanjin). Woodblock print, Totoya Hokkei (1780-1850), c. 1825

Shigeno Yozaemon watching an exploding shell.; Shigeno Yozaemon; One hundred warriors selected by Yoshitoshi; Kaidai Hyaku Senso. Shigeno Yozaemon, in purple jacket with colorful lining, looks up towards an exploding shell above him.

Ichikawa Monosuke II ca. 1790 Katsukawa Shun'ei 川春英 Japanese Utamaro's fundamental curiosity about women was not limited to any one group or activity. In this print, he shows us women working in silk production, an important occupation for women and an important part of the Edo economy. Its composition reads more like a tableau vivant, with the workers merely suggesting their activities. The inscription in the cloud-band tells us about the procedures. The mood is sensual, and the selective use of color in Utamaro's refined version of labor is delicate and idealized. The workers' robes are in shades of violet, blue, green, yellow, and pale gray.. Ichikawa Monosuke II 56981

Night View of Matsuchi Hill and the Sanya Canal (Matsuchiyama Sanyabori yakei), from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei) 1857 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Utagawa Hiroshige

Descending Geese at Katada (Katada rakugan), from the series Fashionable Eight Views of Omi (Furyu Omi hakkei) 1809-1822 Japan. Color woodblock print; oban . Kikukawa Eizan

The Chinese Immortal Seiobo (C Xi Wang Mu, Queen of the West) 1765-1784 Japan. Color woodblock print; chuban . Katsukawa Shunsho

Standing Courtesan. Artist: Baioken Eishun (Japanese, active early 18th century). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: Image: 39 7/16 × 16 1/8 in. (100.2 × 41 cm)Overall with mounting: 77 9/16 × 22 3/8 in. (197 × 56.8 cm)Overall with knobs: 77 9/16 × 24 5/16 in. (197 × 61.7 cm). Date: probably 1720s.Baioken Eishun was among the ukiyo-e artists specializing in paintings of courtesans of the pleasure quarters in the style popularized by artists of the Kaigetsudo studio. He even prefaced his signature with Yamato-e, in the same way Kaigetsudo artists did, to assert that his style of painting was in the distinguished "Japanese-style painting" associated with courtly tastes. Here, a patron or a courtesan has inscribed a poem to add a level of sexual suggestiveness: Though I didn't sayI was retiring for the nightstill she loosens her sash.She reads my thoughts,bringing tears to my eyes.--Trans. Miyeko Murase. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

A Cuckoo Calls - Takao, Yoshitoshi, Tsukioka

Girl in an orange vermillion dress. Origin: Japan. Color and gold on paper panel. Date: 1661-1673. Period: Edo period, Kambun era. Museum: Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.

The Brine Maiden. Katsushika Hokusai ; Japanese, 1760-1849. Date: 1830. Dimensions: . Color woodblock print; surimono. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

The Actor Nakamura Rikō, as a Courtesan with a Sword ca. 1780 Katsukawa Shunshō　川春章 Japanese. The Actor Nakamura Rikō, as a Courtesan with a Sword 55645

Emperor Go-Saga (Go-Saga-tenno, April 1, 1220 - March 17, 1272) was the 88th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1242 through 1246. Go-Saga's final resting place is designated as an Imperial mausoleum (misasagi) at Saa no minami no Misasagi in Kyoto.

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo 3rd in a Female Role ca. 1785 Katsukawa Shunjō Japanese. The Actor Segawa Kikunojo 3rd in a Female Role 55706

Scene from a drama two women and a man Kunisada, UTAGAWA (1786 1864)

Rejected Geisha from Passions Cooled by Springtime Snow. Artist: Keisai Eisen (Japanese, 1790-1848). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: H. 7 in. (17.8 cm); W. 5 in. (12.7 cm). Date: 1824.One of the most eccentric ukiyo-e artists, Eisen was frequently found drunk in brothels, and in his later years actually became the owner of one himself. His coquette is a far cry from the lovely aristocratic beauty portrayed some three decades earlier by Utamaro. Her angular features, long slanting eyes, half-open pouting lips with a touch of iridescent green, little red ribbon and suggestive crook of a finger betrays her coy and slightly wanton nature. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA. Author: KEISAI EISEN.

Osen at the Kagiya tea stand, The waitress Osen, standing, with a black bowl in her hand, next to a bowl with rice balls, behind which a tea kettle and a cupboard with cups., Harunobu-school, 1768 - 1772, paper, colour woodcut, h 304 mm × w 138 mm

Honma no Suketada from the Chronicles of Grand Peace (Honma no Suketada, Taiheiki), from the series Twenty-four Japanese Paragons of Filial Piety for the Honcho Circle (Honchoren Honcho nijushiko) 1816-1826 Japan. Color woodblock print; shikishiban, surimono . Yashima Gakutei

A Beauty Chōkōsai Eishō Japanese. A Beauty 56092

The Young Horseman 1761-1770 Japan. Color woodblock print; chuban . Suzuki Harunobu

Japan: 'The Fickle / Coquettish Type'. Ukiyo-e woodblock print from the series 'Ten Physiognomies of Women' by Utamaro Kitagawa (c. 1753 - 31 October 1806), c. 1792-1793. Kitagawa Utamaro was a Japanese printmaker and painter, who is considered one of the greatest artists of woodblock prints (ukiyo-e). He is known especially for his masterfully composed studies of women, known as bijinga. He also produced nature studies, particularly illustrated books of insects.

Empress Jitō (統天皇 Jitō-tennō, 645 - 13 January 703) was the 41st monarch of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Jitō's reign spanned the years from 686 through 697. In the history of Japan, Jitō was the third of eight women to take on the role of empress regnant. The two female monarchs before Jitō were (1) Suiko and (2) Kōgyoku/Saimei. The five women sovereigns reigning after Jitō were (3) Gemmei, (4) Genshō, (5) Kōken/Shōtoku, (6) Meishō, and (7) Go-Sakuramachi. Jitō took responsibility for court administration after the death of her husband, Emperor Temmu, who was also her uncle. She acceded to the throne in 687 in order to ensure the eventual succession of her son, Kusakabe-shinnō. Throughout this period, Empress Jitō ruled from the Fujiwara Palace in Yamato. Prince Kusabake was named as crown prince to succeed Jitō, but he died at a young age. Kusabake's son, Karu-no-o, was then named as Jitō's successor. He eventually would become known as Emperor Mommu. In

Egoyomi (Beauty Smoking) Korinsai (Japanese). Egoyomi (Beauty Smoking), 1785-1790. Color woodblock print on paper, sheet: 5 9/16 x 4 1/2 in. (14.2 x 11.5 cm). Asian Art 1785-1790

Ogiya Hanaôgi = Hanaôgi of the Ôgiya (picture riddle). 1793 - 1804. Kitagawa, Utamaro, 1753-1806. Prints. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection

Lady and samisen, 1814, Woodcuts, Surimono

The revenge of the Forty-seven Ronin (Shi-ju-shichi-shi), also known as the Forty-seven Samurai, the Aki vendetta, or the Genroku Aki incident (Genroku aki jiken) took place in Japan at the start of the 18th century. One noted Japanese scholar described the tale as the country's 'national legend'. It recounts the most famous case involving the samurai code of honor, bushidi. The story tells of a group of samurai who were left leaderless (becoming ronin) after their daimyo (feudal lord) Asano Naganori was forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) for assaulting a court official named Kira Yoshinaka, whose title was Ki zuke no suke. The ronin avenged their master's honor after patiently waiting and planning for two years to kill Kira. In turn, the ronin were themselves ordered to commit seppuku for committing the crime of murder. With much embellishment, this true story was popularized in Japanese culture as emblematic of the loyalty, sacrifice, persistence, and honor that all good peopl

Japan, Gakutei, Yashima, Mitate shichifukujin, A parody of the Seven Gods of Fortune, Hotei, The God Hotei, A courtesan looking like the God of Fortune Hotei with a doll on a tray. The print is an a-copy from the Meiji period (1868-1912), the original design dates from c. 1828., print, prent, surimono, prints, Japan (collection), height 216 mm, width 189 mm, Work conception, Japanese, 1786 - 1868, after print by, 1868 - 1912, paper, colour woodcut, colour woodblock

A Chinese figure wearing pale blue silk robes with a emerald green border and elaborate head-dress. Painting by a Chinese artist, ca. 1850.

Flowers: Onoe Kikugoro III, from an untitled series of actors representing snow, moon, and flowers. Utagawa Kuniyoshi; Japanese, 1787-1861. Date: 1825-1845. Dimensions: 21.1 x 18.4 cm. Color woodblock print; shikishiban, surimono. Origin: Japan. Museum: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, USA.

Two Iwai family actors in the role ofwomen. Artist: Katsushika Hokusai, Japanese, 1760-1849

Empress Jitō Tennō. Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japan, 1797-1861). early 1840s. Prints; woodblocks. Color woodblock print

Samurai in the rain, Night Scene, with actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VII (1791-1859) in the role of Soga no Gorô Tokimune, in the rain with a sword in his hand. This scene comes from the play Soga nakamura, staged at the Nakamura theater in Edo in 1825. Right sheet of triptych. With one poem., Kunisada (I), Utagawa (mentioned on object), Japan, 1825, paper, colour woodcut, h 174 mm × w 201 mm

Edocho echizenya uchi morokoshi, The courtesan Morokoshi of the house of Ichizen on Edocho., Utagawa, Kuninaga, -1829, artist, between 1804 and 1808, 1 print : woodcut, color ; 38.8 x 26.3 cm., Print shows the courtesan Morokoshi, full-length portrait, standing, facing left, wearing numerous hairpins, with a young female attendant also wearing an elaborate hair dressing.

Kabuki Actor Nakamura Shikan Backstage (Nakamura Shikan rakuya no zu) 1826 Juyd Toshikuni Japanese. Kabuki Actor Nakamura Shikan Backstage (Nakamura Shikan rakuya no zu). Juyd Toshikuni (Japanese, active ca. 1816-1830s). Japan. 1826. Woodblock print; ink and color on paper. Edo period (1615-1868). Prints

Acteur als Leeuwendanser, Utagawa Kunisada (I), 1860 print Actor with large red wig, barefoot a lion dance executive between rocks overgrown with peonies; at night. Japan paper nishiki-e / color woodcut portrait of actor, actress. postures of the human figure. wig

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