Japanese Masters - Ukiyo-e

Hiroshige’s woodblock printings

Utagawa Hiroshige

Biography: Utagawa Hiroshige was born on September 17, 1797, in Edo (now Tokyo), Japan. His birth name was Andō Tokutarō.

Family: He came from a samurai family. His father was a fire warden, a position of some responsibility in the local government. This background provided Hiroshige with a stable upbringing and access to education.

Early Influences: As a child, Hiroshige showed a keen interest in art. His father, who had some artistic skills, likely encouraged this interest.

Artistic Training: Hiroshige’s interest in landscape art began early, likely influenced by his family’s connections. His first painting instructor was Okajima Binsai, who hailed from Hiroshige’s samurai family’s province, Mutsu.

Okajima Binsai specialized in paintings of Mount Fuji, which may have impressed Hiroshige early on.

At age 14, after the death of his parents, Hiroshige became a student of the celebrated ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Toyohiro. It was under Toyohiro’s guidance that he began to hone his skills in woodblock printing and painting.

Hiroshige also studied the style of the Kano school, the official aesthetic of the warrior class, influenced by Chinese ink painting.

Influences and Techniques:

Chinese painting manuals, particularly the 10 Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting, played a significant role in Hiroshige’s development.

Hiroshige’s earliest known work was for a poetry volume featuring kyōka (crazy verse), known for its witticisms and wordplay. Kyōka poets and their patronage helped Hiroshige rise to prominence, leading to the commission for his famous 53 Stations of the Tokaido series.

Surimono and Harimaze:

Hiroshige was involved in producing surimono, privately commissioned prints for kyōka poetry societies.

• Surimono prints were luxurious and included techniques like embossing, gradation, and metallic pigments.

• Harimaze-e, or paste-and-mix pictures, were another innovation by Hiroshige, featuring multiple images intended to be cut and used as decorations.

Artistic Themes and Styles:

Hiroshige experimented with various subjects and styles, including bird and flower designs inspired by Ishizuri-e (stone rubbings).

His work often included visual cropping and framing strategies, influenced by earlier Japanese and Chinese art traditions.

Commercial Aspect and Legacy:

Ukiyo-e’s blend of classical traditions and commercial exploitation reflects a different domain of creativity.

Hiroshige’s landscapes were rich with references and meaning for Edo period viewers, combining poetry, history, and visual memory.

His work continues to be celebrated and studied, with exhibitions like the one at the Brooklyn Museum of Art showcasing his views of Edo.

Edo Period Overview:

The Edo period (1603-1868) was a time of relative peace and stability in Japan under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate.

It was marked by economic growth, strict social order, isolationist foreign policies, and flourishing arts and culture.

Social Structure: Society was divided into strict classes: samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants. • The samurai were the ruling class, while the merchants, despite being lower in status, became wealthy and influential due to trade and commerce.

Cultural Developments: The period saw the rise of urban centers like Edo (modern-day Tokyo), Osaka, and Kyoto. Art forms like ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), kabuki theater, and haiku poetry flourished.

The period is known for its vibrant popular culture, with a focus on pleasure and entertainment in the “floating world” (ukiyo).

Isolationist Policies: The Tokugawa shogunate implemented a policy of national seclusion (sakoku), limiting foreign influence and trade to specific ports. • This policy helped maintain internal stability and control but also isolated Japan from global developments.

IN WASHINGTON DC HIROSHIGE WORKS CAN BE SEEN HERE at National Museum of Asian Art Collection

Hokusai’s woodblock printings

Katsushika Hokusai

Biography: Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was born in Edo and is one of the most celebrated Japanese artists. He had many names throughout his life, a common practice among Japanese artists. His birth name was Tokitarō.

He adopted “Katsushika Hokusai” around age 30, with “Katsushika” referring to his birthplace and “Hokusai” meaning “Studio of the North.”

Artistic Career: Hokusai began as an apprentice in the workshop of Katsukawa Shunshō, a master of ukiyo-e.

His works include a wide range of prints, paintings, book illustrations, and sketchbooks.

He is best known for the series “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji” (1830-1833), which includes the iconic “The Great Wave off Kanagawa.”

Style and Influences: Hokusai was known for his insatiable curiosity and desire for innovation, experimenting with different styles and techniques. He was influenced by both Chinese art and Western techniques, particularly in the use of perspective. His works covered various themes, from landscapes and nature to portraits and everyday scenes.

Origin of the Name “Hokusai”:

“Hokusai” translates to “Studio of the North” or “Studio of the North Star,” reflecting his reverence for northern Chinese cultural traditions.

Throughout his life, Hokusai used over 30 different names, each marking a new phase in his artistic career.

Legacy:

Hokusai had a profound influence on Western art in the 19th century, particularly on Impressionists like Monet and Van Gogh.

His works helped introduce Japanese aesthetics to the West, contributing to the Japonisme movement in Europe.

Today, Hokusai is considered a master of Japanese art, with his innovative approach and enduring spirit continuing to inspire contemporary artists.