WHAT IS UKIYO-E
Ukiyo-e are multi-coloured woodblock prints, and is a traditional Japanese craft that developed during early to mid Edo Period (1650's - 1750's) that is still continued even to this day.
Yoshu Chikanobu: Touring Asuka Park (1888)
REFLECTING THE TIMES THROUGH UKIYO-E
Ukiyo-e are multi-coloured woodblock prints, and is a traditional Japanese craft that developed during early to mid Edo Period (1650's - 1750's) that is still continued even to this day. Ukiyo-e traditionally reflected the society of its time, and depicted iconic figures and scenes from daily life, such as beautiful women, famous kabuki actors and sumo wrestlers, and popular tourist spots. It was a source of information from which the people of the Edo period obtained news on current affairs and trending topics along with fashion and travels.
Carving the KISS x UKIYO-E PROJECT Monstrous ukiyo-e
HOW ARE UKIYO-E CREATED?
The creation of ukiyo-e requires four people: an illustrator, a woodcarver, and a printer, and a publisher who gathers the three artisans together and commissions the work. This teamwork process is unique to Japan, and has come to be considered an important, cultural heritage.
Yoshu Chikanobu: Beautiful Women of the Present Day (1890)