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Tag: Katsushika Hokusai

CategoriesExperience

The Allure of Hokusai’s Ukiyo-e: “Express it More Vividly than Reality”

By ninjakotan

The Allure of Hokusai’s Ukiyo-e: “Express it More Vividly than Reality”     Bridging Perceptions and Realities in Ukiyo-e Art Within the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “Traditional Crafts of Tokyo” website, there’s a description of the charm of Ukiyo-e as “Express it more vividly than reality.” This phrase beautifully captures the essence of Ukiyo-e.  Peter Drucker, a lover of Japanese paintings, noted the difference between Japanese and Western art as follows: “The characteristics of Japanese art can arguably be described as perceptual rather than conceptual, designed rather than realistic, topological rather than geometrical, and integrative rather than analytical.” This correlates well with the idea of “Express more vividly than reality.”  World-famous Ukiyo-e “Great Wave off Kanagawa” by Hokusai The “Great Wave off Kanagawa” by the painter Katsushika Hokusai is perhaps the most famous Ukiyo-e. This dramatic composition, with its high, swirling waves and boats engulfed by the sea and Mount Fuji in the distance, has captivated audiences globally. In 2023, it fetched $2.76 million at an auction in New York. In July 2024, it was selected for Japan’s new ¥1,000 note.    Mastering the Art of Ukiyo-e: Craftsmanship and Technique Ukiyo-e is a design that results from the craftsmanship of painters. However,read moreThe Allure of Hokusai’s Ukiyo-e: “Express it More Vividly than Reality”

CategoriesExperience

Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” Featured on the New ¥1000 Note: A Tribute to “Japan Blue”

By ninjakotan

Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” Featured on the New ¥1000 Note: A Tribute to “Japan Blue”   Finally Got My Hands on the New ¥1000 Note Featuring Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” I finally got my hands on the new ¥1000 note issued on July 3. For the first time in history, a ukiyo-e painting is depicted on the reverse side. This ukiyo-e is none other than Katsushika Hokusai’s world-famous “The Great Wave off Kanagawa.” The redesign of the banknote is the first in 20 years since 2004. The “Great Wave off Kanagawa” perfectly complements the blue-toned new ¥1000 banknote. Like many others, I love “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” so much that I can’t bring myself to use the new ¥1000 note right away. The design is just that impressive. While multi-colored prints are predominant in ukiyo-e, there are many that are predominantly blue. Hokusai’s “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji,” which includes “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” features many blue-toned Aizuri-e (prints in blue) in its earlier prints. The vibrant blue skies and seas brought a fresh perspective to landscape representation in ukiyo-e. Following Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige further expanded the expressive possibilities of Aizuri-e.   Theread moreKatsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” Featured on the New ¥1000 Note: A Tribute to “Japan Blue”

CategoriesExperience

The New ¥1,000 Note Featuring Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”

By ninjakotan

The New ¥1,000 Note Featuring Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”     Hokusai’s Ukiyo-e, ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’, Featured on New Currency Note for the First Time On July 3, 2024, new banknotes (Japanese Banknotes) will be issued for the first time in 20 years since 2004. This new series of notes features numerous anti-counterfeiting technologies and universal designs, which will be detailed below. Ukiyo-e enthusiasts will likely focus on the reverse side of the new ¥1,000 note, which features the ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai’s ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa.’ This marks the first time in history that ukiyo-e artwork has been used on currency. Additionally, the obverse of the new ¥1,000 note features a portrait of Shibasaburo Kitasato, a Nobel Prize-winning bacteriologist. Source: Photo taken by our company of a poster from the Bank of Japan   Prototype of “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” Hokusai persistently challenged himself throughout his life with the depiction of waves. He drew waves multiple times in his life, constantly experimenting to capture the elusive movement of water. His masterpiece “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” was created in his early 70s, but its prototype is believed to be “Oshiokuri Hato Tsusen noread moreThe New ¥1,000 Note Featuring Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”

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Authentic Ukiyo-e Printmaking Experience Under Artisan Guidance at Takahashi Studio

By ninjakotan

Authentic Ukiyo-e Printmaking Experience Under Artisan Guidance at Takahashi Studio   At our company, we have had the privilege of participating in an authentic Ukiyo-e printmaking experience under the guidance of real artisans at Takahashi Studio, and I am excited to share our report. Takahashi Studio is Japan’s oldest Ukiyo-e studio, with a history spanning over 160 years. The experience of creating Ukiyo-e prints under the guidance of an authentic artisan at this historic studio proved to be an unforgettable and marvelous experience. Firstly, at Takahashi Studio, we started by watching a video about Ukiyo-e printmaking while listening to the explanations from the artisans. The commentary was impressive. It thoroughly explained the division of roles in Ukiyo-e production, which includes the Hanmoto (publishers), the Eshi (painters), the Horishi (carvers), and the Surishi (printers). The publisher handles the entire process, from planning the Ukiyo-e prints, securing production funds, negotiating with painters, managing the production process, and even sales and managing the woodblock. Following the publisher’s instructions, the painter creates a preliminary sketch only in ink outlines. This ink sketch is then handed over to the carver, who carves a woodblock known as the “key block” (also called the “sumi block”) thatread moreAuthentic Ukiyo-e Printmaking Experience Under Artisan Guidance at Takahashi Studio

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Painters: How to Experience Ukiyo-e Making with Authentic Artisans in Tokyo(1)

By ninjakotan

Painters: How to Experience Ukiyo-e Making with Authentic Artisans in Tokyo(1)   Ukiyo-e, a comprehensive art form, comes to life through the collaboration of three artisans: the “Eshi (painters)” who sketch the design, the “Horishi (carvers)” who carve the wooden blocks for each color, and the “Surishi (printers)” who layers the colors onto the washi paper using a baren. Alongside them stands the publisher, the “Hanmoto,” who oversees and plans the entire production process. In our previous discussion, we delved into the role of the publisher. Today, let’s explore the “painters.” The artisans responsible for creating the sketches, known as the “Eshi,” include renowned figures such as Kitagawa Utamaro, Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, and Sharaku, among others. During the Edo period, the “Hanmoto” commissioned these artists based on the prevailing trends and preferences of the time. The Subjects of Ukiyo-e Range, from Kabuki Actors and Beauties to Contemporary Topics such as Epidemics During the early stages of ukiyo-e, subjects primarily included kabuki actors and beautiful women from the pleasure quarters, catering to the tastes of the common people. Over time, the themes expanded to encompass landscapes, flora, and fauna. Landscape prints featured scenic views of specific locations and depictions ofread morePainters: How to Experience Ukiyo-e Making with Authentic Artisans in Tokyo(1)

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How to Experience the Timeless Charm of Ukiyo-e in Tokyo

By ninjakotan

How to Experience the Timeless Charm of Ukiyo-e in Tokyo: Inspired by Christie’s Record-breaking Auction     A New World Record for Hokusai On March 19, 2024, the world witnessed a historic moment in art history as a complete set of Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji by Katsushika Hokusai fetched an astounding $3,559,000 at auction by Christie’s, setting a new world record for the artist. This monumental achievement surpassed the previous record set by Christie’s last year, highlighting the enduring allure of Hokusai’s masterpieces. The iconic image “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” by Hokusai achieved an impressive $693,000, while “Thunderstorm Beneath the Summit,” also known as “Black Fuji,” more than doubled its low estimate, achieving $214,200. Utagawa Hiroshige’s “Yellow Rose (Yamabuki) and Frogs” also soared, selling for over 16 times its low estimate at $32,760.    Experience the Legacy of Ukiyo-e Art at Takahashi Kobo in Tokyo Nestled in the heart of Tokyo, Takahashi Kobo stands as the oldest Edo woodblock print studio in the country. Our commitment to preserving the tradition of ukiyo-e art extends to offering immersive ukiyo-e-making experiences for travelers seeking to delve into the rich cultural heritage of Japan. In addition to the ukiyo-e-making experience, participantsread moreHow to Experience the Timeless Charm of Ukiyo-e in Tokyo