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浮世絵 (Ukiyo-e) is a famous art form in which multiple woodblocks are carved and stamped repeatedly on paper to create an image. The practice is known to have flourished between the 17th-19th century. Ukiyo-e artists often depict beautiful women, landscapes, kabuki (Japanese theatre), sumo wrestler, or historical events. Due to the extreme attention to detail, Ukiyo-e artists take a long time to produce one final image. Ukiyo-e artists must be careful about how deep each layer is craved. A simple mistake can ruin the entire image and make the artist redo the whole process again.
During the Edo era (1603-1867), owning ukiyo-e was seen as a symbol of wealth. The more ukiyo-e an individual, the wealthier they were. Ukiyo-e could be found in the living area of the home for people to look at and admire. It was also during the Edo Era when ukiyo-e artists began to dabble in other promiscuous areas. Artists such as Utamaro were famous for depicting women in acts of passion with their male partners. As promiscuous Utamaro's paintings were, they were seen more like a piece of art than an erotic painting. Once Japan opens its doors after the Edo era, ukiyo-e was known to the Western world and impacted artists as well, such as Vicent van Gogh.
Today, ukiyo-e is very popular in Japan and other foreign countries. Although the art form does not have many artists as it did in the past, it is still a beloved and respected art in Japan.
To learn more about how Ukiyo-e is made, click here.
To learn more about the history of UKiyo-e, click here.