1. Utagawa Kunisada (Utagawa Toyokuni III 三代歌川豊国 ) 1786-1865
Japanese Woodblock Prints
Utagawa Kunisada (Utagawa Toyokuni III 三代歌川豊国 )

2. Japanese woodblock print portrait of Utagawa Kunisada ( ) by his principal student Kunisada II ( )

3. Woodblock Art--Characteristics
Very popular in Japan from ~1600 A.D. to late 1800’s A.D.
Started with use of single colors, but later as many as 15 different colors would be printed on a single sheet
Expressive curves, flat perspective, bold colors
Typically were images from landscapes, theatre and actors, scenes of city life
Also used as a technique for printing books

4. Ukiyo-e
Usually the word ukiyo is literally translated as "floating world" in English, referring to a conception of an evanescent world, impermanent, fleeting beauty and a realm of entertainments away from the responsibilities of the everyday world; "pictures of the floating world", i.e. ukiyo-e, are considered a genre unto themselves.

5. Dawn at Futamigaura, seascape print by Kunisada, c. 1830
Kunisada portrait of kabuki actor Kawarazaki Gonjuro I (1861)
Sumo wrestling scene, triptych set of three prints by Kunisada, c. 1851

6. Woodblock Art—the Process
Publisher gives an idea to the artist, who makes an initial drawing
Drawing is refined and completed by block-copyist
Drawing is shown to censors for approval
First block is carved using drawing pasted onto wood
Subsequent blocks were carved using prints from first block as a guide
Blocks were coated evenly with ink and the pattern was transferred to paper using a special tool called a barren

7. Woodblock Art Demonstrations
YouTube video

9. A Close Up View

10. Scene of an Evening Gathering
What do you see? Do you like the painting?
Does it look realistic?
How many colors?
What are the ladies doing? What are they wearing?
Why no tables?
What is in the background?