The Art of Japan. Manga. Prints

Starting from the 18th century, woodblock printing, known as xylography, emerged in Japanese visual art. The themes that inspired the artists working in this direction were named "ukiyo-e" – images of the transient 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 sophisticated color palette, with a fantastic variety of details that conceal either cruel mockery or subtle humor. It includes the sensual women of Utamaro, the mesmerizing landscapes of Hokusai, the charming views of Hiroshige, and many other captivating images of the ever-changing world created by other, lesser-known Japanese masters. This book offers a different perspective on a world inhabited by a whole gallery of archetypal images: exquisite courtesans, elegant Kabuki theater performers, cruel villains, tricksters, brave and stern warriors, noble heroes, and ordinary people whose lives unfold against the backdrop of lyrical landscapes. This book traces a 250-year history of Japanese graphics, from the 17th century to the early 20th century. An engaging historical overview describes the refined world of the Land of the Rising Sun. The book contains information about famous and lesser-known artists, discussing the birth, development, and a sort of Renaissance of Japanese graphics in the 20th century.