The flash in the pan?
Sharaku flaunts tradition
blaze your own trail now
Sharaku’s Haiku
Tag: ukiyo-e
Kiyochika’s Haiku
Western kosen-ga
Kiyochika who persevered
the last of his kind
Kunisada’s Haiku
Beautiful women,
Shadows of Yoshiwara
Kunisada’s light
Hokusai’s Haiku
Hokusai painting
nature in her purest forms
a gift to the world
A Tale Of Two Artists: Studying The Artistry Of Hokusai And Hiroshige
Ukiyo-e, aka Japanese woodblock prints, are among the most recognisable artforms in the world and there are several masters of the medium to be aware of. Perhaps none are more celebrated than Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige, two men who redefined the genre with their breathtaking landscapes and vivid realism of nature.
Hokusai and Hiroshige are both responsible for shifting ukiyo-e from a style of personal portraits of courtesans and actors to the broader lens of landscapes and animals.
While both artists covered similar motifs, their styles were wholly unique. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the artistry of Hokusai and Hiroshige to see what set them apart.
Continue reading “A Tale Of Two Artists: Studying The Artistry Of Hokusai And Hiroshige”
Akogare
The day I started drawing
who painted poetry in colours
carved landscapes from pigment
willed animals to exist by the force of his technique
I imagined what it must’ve been like
for him to travel 300 miles on the Tokaido Road
an artistic pilgrimage, chasing seasons
guided by the force of his vision
There’s only one Hiroshige
The same as there’s only one me
And that’s enough
Ukiyo-E: The Art Of The Japanese Print Review: A Beautiful Book Filled With Exceptional Art And History
When it comes to Japanese art, ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world) are arguably the best representation. Often produced as woodblock prints, ukiyo-e have captured the imagination of people all over the world, providing a romanticised version of Japan that’s connected to ‘The Floating World’ of pleasure palaces, geisha, samurai and kabuki actors during the Edo period.
Frederick Harris’ Ukiyo-E: The Art Of The Japanese Print may well be the definitive version of Japanese woodblock prints. Filled with beautiful artwork and commentary on the greatest Japanese artists of all time, the book is a must-read for anyone who’s interested in art history and Japanese culture.
Haiku 49
The artist colours
Dreaming of the floating world
sleep peacefully
Geishas And The Floating World Review: A Fascinating Read That Separates Myth From Reality
The geisha is one of the most famous images of Japanese culture. Elegant, mysterious and graceful, geisha have connotations with a romantic side of Japan that’s been perpetuated by myths and legends. The truth is a lot more complicated.
Stephen and Ethel Longstreet’s Geishas and The Floating World delves into the myths surrounding geisha and separate fact from fiction. The book charts the rise and fall of the infamous Yoshiwara districts that became a part of The Floating World and women’s roles within it. Continue reading “Geishas And The Floating World Review: A Fascinating Read That Separates Myth From Reality”
Yamato Magazine 