The Art of Japan. Manga. Engravings

Starting from the 18th century, woodblock printing (ukiyo-e) emerged in Japanese visual arts. The subjects that inspired the artists working in this direction were named "ukiyo-e" – images of the fleeting world. In ukiyo-e, Japanese art achieved remarkable technical perfection, expressiveness, and elegance. It is an open window to a distant world, painted in a refined color palette, with a fantastic variety of details, under which lurk both cruel mockery and subtle humor. There are the sensual women of Utamaro, the mesmerizing landscapes of Hokusai, the charming views of Hiroshige, and many other enchanting images of the changing world created by other, lesser-known Japanese masters. This book offers a different perspective on a world populated by a whole gallery of character images: graceful courtesans, elegant Kabuki theater artists, cruel villains, cunning tricksters, brave and stern warriors, noble heroes, and simple people whose lives unfold against the backdrop of lyrical landscapes. This book traces the 250-year history of Japanese graphics, from the 17th to the early 20th century. An engaging historical essay describes the refined world of the Land of the Rising Sun. The book contains information about famous and lesser-known artists, recounting the birth, development, and a kind of Renaissance of Japanese graphics in the 20th century.