Tag: the British Museum

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”