Ukiyo-e by Tadashi Kobayashi
Japanese woodblock prints, or ukiyo-e, occupy a singular position in the lexicon of world art. They enthralled such Western artists as Whistler, Manet, Degas, and van Gogh, and gave rise to a wave of japonisme in the salons of Paris, London, and New York that left a lasting impression. As the successor to previous aristocratic traditions, the ukiyo-e print represents the last flowering of traditional pictorial art before Japan entered the modern era. These pictures of the floating world reflected the world of the townspeople of Edo (Tokyo), focusing on the popular entertainments of the day, landscapes of favored scenic spots, and portraits of well-known geisha, kabuki actors, and sumo stars. The present volume delves into the history of these unique artistic endeavors, tracing their development from the lavish works commissioned by aristocratic patrons in the sixteenth century to their peak in popularity among the rising merchant class of the flourishing future capital. As the story of the genre's blossoming unfolds, Mr. Kobayashi's illuminating commentary on all its varied aspects-styles, artists, engravers, printers, and the demands of an insatiable but fickle public-captures the essence of the art and provides a fascinating glimpse into the culture of old Japan. With the large color plates and numerous detailed close-ups accompanying the text, Ukiyo-e: An Introduction is essential reading for anyone interested in exploring the exotic world of the Japanese print.
Kobayashi, Tadashi: - Tadashi Kobayashi is a former Professor of art history at Gakushuin University, Tokyo. Currently, he is Chairman of International Ukiyo-e Society and Director of Okada Museum of Art which conserves Japanese, Chinese, and Korean art works collected by the businessman Okada Kazuo.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9784770021823 |
| ISBN 10 | 4770021828 |
| Title | Ukiyo-e |
| Author | Tadashi Kobayashi |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Kodansha America, Inc |
| Year published | 1997-10-01 |
| Number of pages | 96 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |