Category Archives: Kunichika

Alan Watts Blues – the Khakkhara

Posted on August 20, 2018 by

It is a pleasing and thought provoking circularity… the words of Alan Watts, the sensations of Japanese Zen, the beauty of the woodblock prints, the thoughts of Druid Heights, the words of the Chinese poet of the 9th century and the music of Van Morrison… . Continue reading →

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Posted in Buddhism, Kunichika, Kunisada, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Kinbaku Part II – Seiu Ito and his Rope Bondage Fetish

Posted on June 10, 2016 by

Back in 2012 I wrote a piece on Kinbaku, having spent an evening with the very charming Midori, an exponent of sexual bondage and rope play… we had dinner. At the time, I wasn’t really familiar with the art of … Continue reading →

Posted in Hell Courtesan, Japanese prints, japanese woodblock prints, Kinbaku, Kunichika, Seiu Ito, ukiyo-e, ukiyo-e art, yoshitoshi | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Kunichika & The Meiji

Posted on May 19, 2016 by

May the 20th sees the launch of a new show at the Toshidama Gallery. The exhibition looks at the work of Toyohara Kunichika, (1835-1900), and his fellow artists. There are some very fine prints indeed on show and for sale, … Continue reading →

Posted in Demoiselles d'Avignon, Edo, Floating World, geisha, Japanese Eyebrows, japanese hair styling, Japanese prints, japanese woodblock prints, kabuki theatre, Kiyochika, Kunichika, Meiji Art, Okubi-e, Picasso, Toshidama Gallery., ukiyo-e, ukiyo-e art, utagawa | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hikimayu…Fashion Trends of the Heian Period

Posted on April 26, 2016 by

Kunichika (1835-1900) Thirty-six Good and Evil Beauties: Shirabyoshi Dancer on a Boat, 1876. I love this series of prints by Kunichika. It’s called 36 Good and Evil Beauties and is one of his finest series of woodblock prints. Each print, … Continue reading →

Posted in Floating World, geisha, Hikimayu, Japanese Eyebrows, japanese hair styling, Japanese prints, japanese woodblock prints, Kunichika, Meiji Art, ukiyo-e, ukiyo-e art, yoshitoshi | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ashiyuki and the Tsuzumi Drum

Posted on April 20, 2016 by

Ashiyuki (active 1813 – 1833) Nakamura Matsue III as Akoya in the Play Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki, 1829 This lovely print… a rare and early Osaka triptych in oban format shows three actors (all male, despite appearances), the centre … Continue reading →

Posted in Ashiyuki, Ichikawa Danjuro, Japanese prints, japanese woodblock prints, kabuki theatre, Kunichika, Tsuzumi Drum, ukiyo-e, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Kunichika and The Masu Rice Measure

Posted on April 19, 2016 by

Kunichika (1835-1900)  Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen, 1882. This is a fine print, a triptych by Kunichika. The scene is from one of the many (probably terrible) melodramatic plays favoured by the kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro. Based on historic fact, … Continue reading →

Posted in Floating World, Ichikawa Danjuro, Japanese prints, japanese woodblock prints, kabuki theatre, Kunichika, masu, Meiji Art, ukiyo-e, ukiyo-e art | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kunichika and the Japanese Firemen

Posted on April 18, 2016 by

Kunichika (1835-1900)  Ichikawa Kuzo III as Kinmon Tatsugoro (centre) in Kami no Megumi Wagô no Torikumi, 1864 It is always problematic to say for sure in any print, which play, which actor, which role is pictured. What with so many … Continue reading →

Posted in firemen, Floating World, Japanese prints, japanese woodblock prints, kabuki theatre, Kunichika, Kunisada, Meiji Art, sumo, sumotori, Tattoo Art, tobi, Toshidama Gallery., ukiyo-e art, utagawa | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment