Category Archives: utagawa

Four Artists of the Floating World

Posted on January 19, 2021 by toshidama

Toshidama Japanese Prints is starting 2021 with a close look at four of the leading artists of the Japanese woodblock scene. The gallery frequently shows 4 x 4 shows – exhibitions that focus on just four prints by each artist. … Continue reading →

Posted in Edo, Ichikawa Danjuro, Japanese prints, japanese woodblock prints, kabuki theatre, Kunichika, Kunisada, musha-e, Toyokuni I, ukiyo-e, Uncategorized, utagawa, yoshitoshi | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Pirate Chief Kezori Kyuemon

Posted on April 23, 2019 by toshidama

What an amazing image this is… its a fabulous woodblock print by the nineteenth century artist Kunichika and it depicts the great actor of the kabuki theatre, Ichikawa Danjuro IX as the Pirate Chief Kezori Kyuemon from the play, Hakata … Continue reading →

Posted in Edo, Floating World, Ichikawa Danjuro, Japanese Art, Japanese Art Gallery, Japanese prints, japanese woodblock prints, kabuki theatre, Kunichika, Meiji Art, Toshidama Gallery., ukiyo-e, ukiyo-e art, Uncategorized, utagawa | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Utagawa Lineage in Japanese Prints

Posted on July 6, 2018 by toshidama

A Basic ‘Family Tree’ of the Utagawa School. The picture above is an over simplified ‘family tree’ of the principal individuals in the Utagawa School of Japanese woodblock print artists. Toshidama Gallery has a significant online presence and we are … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiroshige, Japanese prints, japanese woodblock prints, Kunichika, Kunisada, Kuniyoshi, Toyokuni I, Toyokuni III, ukiyo-e, ukiyo-e art, utagawa, yoshitoshi | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

History and Romance in Japanese Prints – 4 Artists at the Toshidama Gallery

Posted on January 26, 2018 by toshidama

Kunichika, Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki, 1864. The scholars of the early twentieth century derided the great artists and prints of nineteenth century Japan. The assessment of artists such as Kuniyoshi and Kunisada rested on their perceived decadence… (moral or cultural decline … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiroshige, Japanese prints, japanese woodblock prints, Kunichika, Kunisada, Kuniyoshi, ukiyo-e, utagawa | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kunichika & The Meiji

Posted on May 19, 2016 by toshidama

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

Kunichika and the Japanese Firemen

Posted on April 18, 2016 by toshidama

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

Toshidama… A Print per Day – Kunichika

Posted on April 15, 2016 by toshidama

Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) Thirty-six Good and Evil Beauties: Jigoku Dayu (Hell Courtesan) This Kunichika print of Jigoku Dayu shows her wearing a robe depicting Enma, the Japanese God of the underworld. Enma is not only the ruler but also the … Continue reading →

Posted in Edo, Enma, Floating World, Hell Courtesan, Japanese Demon, japanese woodblock prints, Kunichika, Meiji Art, Toshidama Gallery., ukiyo-e art, utagawa, yoshitoshi | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toshidama… A Print per Day – Kunichika

Posted on April 12, 2016 by toshidama

Kunichika, 36 Good and Evil Beauties – Kiyoshi Hikariin The fine Kunichika print from a series of vengeful and noble women, features a brilliant yellow folding screen in the background. People often wonder what the story is behind so many … Continue reading →

Posted in Floating World, Japanese Art Gallery, Japanese prints, japanese woodblock prints, Kabuki Mons, Kunichika, Meiji Art, Tokugawa Clan, Toshidama Gallery., ukiyo-e, ukiyo-e art, utagawa | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toshidama Gallery… A Print per Day – Chikanobu

Posted on April 10, 2016 by toshidama

Chikanobu (1838 – 1912)  Jidai kagami (A Mirror of the Ages): The Meiji Era (1868-1912) The old castle pictured in the cartouche of our second print is the ‘Imperial Residence’ of the new Meiji Emperor. Chikanobu was, like so many … Continue reading →

Posted in Chikanobu, Japanese Art, Japanese Art Gallery, Japanese Gardens, Japanese prints, japanese woodblock prints, Meiji Art, ukiyo-e, ukiyo-e art, utagawa | Leave a comment

Space – The Final Frontier: The Problem of Depth in Japanese Prints.

Posted on September 20, 2011 by toshidama

Critics and Art historians often refer to ‘space’ in a painting or a print. Prints are flat – so what do they mean by space? On a flat plane like a print, space is all illusory – like in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Floating World, Hiroshige, Hokusai, Italian Renaissance Art, Japanese Art, Japanese Art Gallery, Japanese prints, japanese woodblock prints, kabuki theatre, Kunichika, Kunisada, Perspective in Art, Toshidama Gallery., ukiyo-e art, utagawa | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment