Ukiyo-e (ukiyo-e), a genre of painting established in Japan during the Edo period, refers to works depicting “modern customs.” The word’s etymology comes from the Buddhist notion of a “sad world” (a painful world) being reinterpreted in a positive light, and the meaning of “enjoying the present moment with ecstasy (ukiyo).”
- Main Characteristics of Ukiyo-e
Ukiyo-e can be broadly divided into two forms.
Woodblock prints (mokuhanga): Prints created through a division of labor between painters, carvers, and printers. Because they were inexpensive and mass-produced, they became explosively popular among the common people of Edo.
Nikuhitsuga (hand-painted paintings): One-of-a-kind pieces painted directly on paper or silk by the artist with a brush.
- Typical Subjects and Genres
These prints depicted the interests of people of the time.
Bijin-ga (portraits of beautiful women): Depicts beautiful women (such as those by Kitagawa Utamaro).
Actor prints: portraits of Kabuki actors (such as Toshusai Sharaku).
Landscape paintings: depictions of famous places from all over Japan (such as Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige).
Warrior prints: depictions of legendary heroes and battle scenes (such as Utagawa Kuniyoshi).
- The Five Great Artists of History
These are famous artists who represent ukiyo-e.
Katsushika Hokusai: a master of landscape painting known for “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.”
Kitagawa Utamaro: a leading figure in bijin-ga, depicting the delicate expressions of women.
Utagawa Hiroshige: expresses emotionally rich landscapes in works such as “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.”
Tōshusai Sharaku: an enigmatic artist who portrayed the individual personalities of actors with bold deformations.
Utagawa Kuniyoshi: specialized in fantastical compositions and anthropomorphism.
- Modern-Day Enjoyment (as of 2026)
Today, ukiyo-e is no longer simply a traditional craft; it’s being experienced in new ways.
Immersive Art: Exhibitions like the “Ukiyo-e in Motion” (Tokyo/Osaka) allow visitors to immerse themselves in the world of ukiyo-e through giant video projections.
Fusion with the Present: The Tokyo National Museum hosts exhibitions like the “Ukiyo-e Contemporary,” in which contemporary artists expand on ukiyo-e techniques, attempting to connect history with the present.
Specialized Museums: There are many facilities offering regular viewing of high-quality works, such as the Ota Memorial Museum of Art and the Sumida Hokusai Museum.
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