THE HISTORY OF UKIYO-E

Explore one of the finest selections of Ukiyo-e, 17–19th century original Japanese woodblock prints, for sale. Ukiyo-e, or “images of a floating world,” showcased the exciting urban popular culture of the Edo period (1603–1868), promoting fashion, theatre, a growing interest in the Japanese landscape, and the allure of the pleasure quarter.

The term Ukiyo has a Buddhist derivation, which originally described the transitory nature of life. During the 17th century, the term was used to reference the ephemeral world of pleasure and indulgence experienced by Japan’s rising middle class.
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HOW ARE UKIYO-E PRINTS CREATED?

Ukiyo-e prints were produced in a collaborative system where a publisher hired an artist to produce a design and artisans to carve the woodblocks and printers to print the finished work. Notable Ukiyo-e we carry include the compelling portraits of Harunobu, Sharaku, Utamaro, and Toyokuni, awe-inspiring landscapes by Hokusai and Hiroshige, and the fearsome and inspiring warriors of Kuniyoshi and Yoshitoshi.

Ukiyo-E Japanese Woodblock Prints

UKIYO-E ARTWORK HAS LONG BEEN COLLECTED THE WORLD OVER.

Originally these prints captured the interest of the West in the 19th century. Artists such as van Gogh, Manet, Monet, as well the esteemed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright were all fans and collectors. During this time many important private collections of Ukiyo-e were assembled, and institutions worldwide added these prints to their esteemed holdings.

Fine museum-quality examples of
Ukiyo-e are scarce and we at Collecting Japanese Prints are honored to offer you the very best the market has to offer.