Ukiyo-e: The Art of the Japanese Print

by Frederick Harris

The art of Japanese woodblock printing, known as ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world"), reflects the rich history and way of life in Japan hundreds of years ago. The Art of the Japanese Print takes a thematic approach to this iconic Japanese art form, considering prints by subject geisha and courtesans, kabuki actors, sumo wrestlers, erotica, nature, historical subjects and even images of foreigners in Japan.

An artist himself, author Frederick Harris--a well-known American collector who lived in Japan for 50 years--pays special attention to the methods and materials employed in Japanese printmaking. The book traces the evolution of ukiyo-e from its origins in metropolitan Edo (Tokyo) art culture as black and white illustrations, to delicate two-color prints and multicolored designs. Advice to admirers on how to collect, care for, view and buy Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints rounds out this book of charming, carefully selected prints.

Genres: Art, Japan, Asia, Nonfiction, History, Japanese History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 10, 2011

Reviews

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very nice book with lots of information. I'm not sure the decision to sort the entire book into chapters based on subject matter is the most sensible, I feel for most art books that cover a wide range of time a chronological approach generally is more successful. It's certainly easy enough for the reader to categorize themselves ("that's a bird. that's a pretty lady. that's another bird.") but harder for us to notice "that's an early Hiroshige. that's a late period Yoshitoshi" etc.

The colour reproductions are very good, and there's a wide range of material shown. I also wish the book designers had managed a better job of associating what text there was with the artwork depicted; you'd read "blah blah blah fig. 173" and it would be five pages later. Especially for artbooks, I feel like you should make a concerted effort to discuss the art seen on the same double-page spread as the text.

(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s)

[Stray Toki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it's easy to read and it explores ukiyo-e from a different perspective: instead of taking the usual chronological approach, the author introduces it genre by genre.
The illustrations are great too.
But on the other hand, separating works by genre makes it difficult to grasp the general changes in ukiyo-e. Different facts and events related to the same period are mentioned in different chapters and are at times hard to put together.
So I would definitely not recommend this book to somebody new to ukiyo-e. But it can be a nice addition if you already read a couple of books on the topic.

One more thing, there are small but obvious mistakes.
Horyu-ji temple is said to be located in Kyoto instead of Ikaruga (Nara), clearly male kabuki actor is called a woman in one of the descriptions. There are probably more that I forgot or didn't notice.
After seeing them I had to question the author's credibility for the rest of the book. Fortunately seems like I've been worrying for nothing.

[James Varney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-have for ukiyo-e fans. Harris's book covers the gamut, from history to artists, in admirable fashion. There are sections for each of the main schools, or topics, for woodblock prints, which means for some (like myself) there are sections of less interest. But even there, using the topic of sumo prints which don't particularly interest me, for instance, Harris provides what anyone needs to know.

[Nestor Jimenez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plenty of images of that fascinating art and explanations which put you in context.

[Merahnaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sangat mengesankan. Buku pertama tentang ukiyoe yang indah. Sangat indah.

[T P Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a good overview of the topic though it seems a little dated. Even the lists of the places to see and buy such prints is out of date. Very nicely illustrated but a little limited.

[Quicksilver Quill · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Ukiyo-e, author and artist Frederick Harris offers a stunning survey of the art of the Japanese woodblock print. Approaching these prints of "The Floating World" by their subject matter, Harris conveniently divides the book into different chapters on landscapes, flowers, actors, beautiful women, etc.

This book is an excellent overview of the Japanese print, and provides a firm introduction to this lovely art form. To further illuminate the many colorful and exquisite prints included, Harris adds an informative description for each one, lending not only his artist's eye to unraveling the meaning and aesthetics, but also a historical perspective. This helps the reader to appreciate the Ukiyo-e even more for their artistic merit, and also to understand certain details of Japanese culture and history that they might not otherwise have known.

Rounding out the book is a helpful discussion on the art form itself, that is, the very involved and unique manner in which these prints were produced. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Ukiyo-e, and especially for those who want to learn more about the history and artistry behind the Japanese woodblock print.

[Dex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only one word is needed of the artwork of the Floating World: gorgeous. This new publication details deeply into the process of printmaking in Japan when they cloistered themselves from the rest of the world during the Tokugawa Era. The result was an apex in printmaking history. Immortal and exquisite in every definition.

[Zombie Karin]

Chock-full of information. Great images with detailed explanations, by someone who has studied the technique in Japan.

[Beth Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent survey, with a great variety of illustrations and clear text.