These Ukiyo-e prints (literally "pictures of floating world") represent the Buddhist concepts of death and rebirth. Subjects represent the entertainments in urban life such as courtesans, red-light districts, beautiful women, kabuki scenes and actors, and traveling.
Woodblock prints are regarded as the most characteristic expression of the Japanese artistic genius. Great quantities of this popular art form were made during the Edo period (1603-1868) and sold inexpensively to a pubic captivated by Kabuki theater, sumo wrestling, and courtesans of the brothel districts. Representing these active, colorful ways of life often allowed for great freedom and creativity on the part of the artist. Ukiyo-e artists formed a school of painting and print design from which basic themes were drawn from everyday life. This genre became very popular among the working class of Japanese society.
This series, comprised of 24 unique woodblock prints, is available as a traveling exhibit. Please contact Sam Yates at the Ewing Gallery for more information.
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