Japan’s Print Dynasty.

I am a huge fan of Japanese woodblock prints. I have had the good fortune of seeing formidable museum exhibitions of such in person and can not say enough about the exquisite style and craftsmanship displayed by these Japanese artisans, every last detail has been executed with tremendous care and skill. I have chosen a few of my favorites from the British Museum’s 2001 “100 Views of Mount Fuji” exhibit based on their strong illustrative and graphic merits and stylization. These are sure to provide fierce creative inspiration.

01. “South Wind, Clear Sky” (Red Fuji), Katsushika Hokusai. Color Woodblock Print, circa 1906.

02. Detail of “Suido Bridge and Surugadai”, Utagawa Hiroshige, circa 1857. Colour Woodblock Print.
03. Detail of “Journey to the East: Mt Fuji” (Tales of Ise, Episode 9), Sumiyoshi Jokei, circa 1881.

04. “Under the Wave off Kanagawa” (The Great Wave), Katsushika Hokusai, circa 1937. Color Woodblock Print. (How could I not include this iconic image?)

05.  Detail of “Princess Tatsuta”, Takehisa Yumeji, circa 1982. Color Woodblock Print.
06. Detail of “Parody of Monk Saigyo gazing at Mt Fuji”, Suzuki Harunobu, circa 1937. Color Woodblock Print.

07.  ”Rainstorm Beneath the Summit”, Katsushika Hokusai, circa 1906. Color Woodblock Print.

08. Details of “Journey to the East: Mt Fuji” (Tales of Ise, Episode 9 Calligraphy & Episode 4), Sumiyoshi Jokei & Unknown Calligrapher, circa 1881.

For detailed information about each of these prints, please visit the British Museum’s Online Tour of the “Views of Mount Fuji” exhibit.

Tagged as: art, Illustration, japan, Vintage