Puntogf Antiques.

Art Ukiyoe Woodblock

A Tribute to the Undervalued Ukiyo-e Master Koryusai

Introduction

Isoda Koryusai (c.1735-90) originally a samurai became, after the death of his master, the lord of Tsuchiya, a so-called rônin (a lordless knight) and a 'floating man'. Most of these 'floating people' ended up in low water but Koryusai chose to be a painter and a designer of woodblock prints. At first he was most probably a student of Nishimura Shigenaga (1697-1756) but his friend and Ukiyo-e master Harunobu (c.1725-1770) had the greatest influence on his work. It was Harunobu who gave him the go (pseudonym) Koryusai, his real name was Masakatsu, which he had used once himself in the past. The respect and admiration for his teacher were so great that Koryusai developed his own style not until Harunobu died. He exceeded in different print formats and Ukiyo-e genres especially in the pillar print format and the shunga (erotic) genre which will be treated in the following paragraphs.    

Pillar Print  

Koryusai achieved remarkable results in the long and narrow format of the pillar print (hashira-e) using an unique style of opulent, rich and decorative coloring and for reintroducing the use of opaque orange (tan) which had characterized the hand-colored prints of the past. He also utilized the vertical size of this format to give it the appearance of a hanging scroll (kakemono) acquiring a certain stratification. As in the conventional style of Japanese landscape painting the eyes of the viewer start at the bottom of the image leading the eye to the middle part and then to the higher part depiciting the background. In general hashira-e are rare because at the time they were attached to wooden columns as part of the Japanese interior and therefore more susceptible to damage. But due to the substantial quantity of pillar prints Koryusai designed in this format a lot of his designs have survived.       

Erotic Work  

"In color and line, in the creation of the total atmosphere of physical love, the best of Koryusai's erotic color prints are unsurpassed in Japanese art; and this particularly explains the high esteem in which he is held among connoisseurs - for few people have ever pursued the cult of artistic erotica as assiduously as the Japanese". (Richard Lane)

During Harunobu and Koryusai's period of activity government censorship was rather loose giving them the opportunity to experiment within the genre of shunga. Sometimes they even signed their designs often positioning them within the frame of a sliding door or screen. Koryusai's early work resembles that of Harunobu but he gradually developed his own style using characteristic vivid colors (his famous orange!), expressing a multi-hued vitality and depicting more realistic figures. Initially woodblock artists worked in the chuban format (ca. 265 x 195 mm) until Koryusai introduced the larger oban format (ca. 390 x 265 mm) in the multi-colour printing medium creating two masterpiece series called Sensual Colors, A Phoenix Released in the Field' and Twelve Holds of Love'  which were published in ca.1775. In the chuban format his most famous series is 'Prosperous Flowers of the Elegant Twelve Seasons'  (ca.1773) depicting amorous encounters for each of the twelve months.    

Conclusion  

If one examines the literature on the history of Ukiyo-e and in special the artist Koryusai one realises the overall consensus among critics on his excellent craftmanship, originality and pioneering within this Japanese art. With the overall acknowledgement of his genius the question why he is so undervalued until this day becomes more explicit. Probably one of the reasons was Koryusai's modest personality and the loyalty to his teacher and friend Harunobu sometimes even signing with his name. Jack Hillier raises an interesting theory in his book 'The Japanese Print - A New Approach'  when he opts:  

"There is always, especially among collectors, a tendency to make comparison between artist and artist, and with Koryusai it is perhaps a case of we look before and after and pine for what is not".        

Important Contemporaries  

Chobunsai Eishi (1756-1829) Torii Kiyonaga (1752-1815) Eishosai Choki (act. ca. 1789-1795) Chokyosai Eiri (act. ca. 1789-1801) Toshusai Sharaku (act. 1794-95), Kitagawa Utamaro (1753 -1806), Katsukawa Shuncho (act. ca.1780s-early 1800s) Katsukawa Shunsho (1726-93).

Literature  

'Shunga, the Art of Love in Japan'  (1975) - Tom and Mary Evans, 'The Complete Ukiyo-e Shunga'  (Vol.3) (1995) - R. Lane,  'Japanese Erotic Prints'  (2002) - Inge Klompmakers, 'Japanese Erotic Fantasies'  (2005) - C. Uhlenbeck and M. Winkel, 'The Japanese Print - A New Approach'  (1960) - J.Hillier.    

About the Author

We have a website called AK-Antiek and are specialized in Japanese woodblock prints. Info on Koryusai's masterpiece series! and Erotic work of contemporaries. Click here for more info on shunga!

Ukiyoe Courtesan - 13 x 29 - Fine Art Poster Print $18.9 This fine art print was reproduced on the highest quality paper to capture the vivid color and detail of the original artwork. Size: 13 inches x 29 inches

Japanese Woodblock Prints (Hardcover) $32.23 Japanese woodblock prints, or ukiyo-e, are the most recognizable Japanese art form. Their massive popularity has spread from Japan to be embraced by a worldwide audience. Covering the period from the beginning of the Japanese woodblock print in the 1680s until the year 1900, Japanese Woodblock Prints provides a detailed survey of all the major artists, along with the images on which their fame rests.Unlike previous examinations of this art form, Japanese Woodblock Prints includes detailed histories of the publishers of woodblock prints-who were often the driving force determining which prints, and therefore which artists, would make it into mass circulation for a chance at critical and popular success. Invaluable as a guide for ukiyo-e enthusiasts looking for detailed information about their favorite artists and prints, it is also an ideal introduction for newcomers to the world of the woodblock print. This lavishly illustrated book will be a valued addition to the libraries of scholars, as well as the general art enthusiast.

Hokusai's Woodblock Prints $7.98 Hokusai's images from nature and portraits of geishas and samurai revolutionized the 19th-century art world. Years later, his works continue to inspire and influence. This collection features 24 of the artist's best woodblock prints, including "The Great Wave" from his well-known series Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji.

Woodblock Kuchi-E Prints $67 Here is a pioneer exploration of a previously neglected genre of late-Meiji art: the type of handmade multicolor book frontispieces known as kuchi-e. Early European collectors assumed that the Japanese woodblock tradition came to an end in Western-tainted prints. Although many crudely colored prints of subjects such as steam trains and men in derby hats did flood the Japanese market, the works introduced in this readable volume make clear that there was another class of popular woodblock tradition unknown to foreigners that continued into the early twentieth century. In their examination of this late flowering of the woodblock print, the authors provide not only an introduction to a popular artistic tradition but also a new lens through which to view Japanese life at the end of the nineteenth century.

Hokusai`s Woodblock Prints $6.88 Hokusai`s images from nature and portraits of geishas and samurai revolutionized the 19th-century art world. Years later, his works continue to inspire and influence. This collection features 24 of the artist`s best woodblock prints, including "The Great Wave" from his well-known series Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji.

Woodblock $25.99 The Woodblock font is a heavy face with angled counters and wedge serifs. The angles of the terminals and non-vertical strokes have been carefully drawn to add emphasis to the shapes of the letters.

The Hotei Encyclopedia of Japanese Woodblock Prints $217.98 The Hotei Encyclopedia of Japanese Woodblock Prints" will serve as a source of quick reference as well as an in-depth study of all aspects of Japanese prints from the Edo (1600-1868) to Taishô (1912-26) periods. The first section of Hotei's Guide to Japanese Woodblock Prints is divided into four main subject areas: historical background, the art history of Ukiyo-e prints, print production (materials and techniques, the publishing trade) and the history of collecting Japanese prints, with a shorter fifth section on conservation. Each subject area will contain a longer survey article which will be accompanied by shorter essays that will highlight specific topics pertaining to Japanese prints and their development. The second section of the book comprises an extensive alphabetical listing of well over a 2,000 carefully cross-referenced entries on individual print designers and schools, publishers, carvers, printers and collectors, major Kabuki actors, materials and! techniques, conservation, subject-matter/iconography, literature and miscellaneous print-related terminology. This will be followed by various appendices, including such aspects as seals of publishers and carvers, signatures, maps and chronological tables. With this ambitious project Hotei Publishing hopes to fill the gap for an extensive reference work on Japanese prints, one that will prove a valuable resource for teachers and students, art collectors, librarians and interested lay-people alike.

Uk An Introduction to Japanese Woodblock Prints $19.48 Japanese woodblock prints, or ukiyo-e, occupy a singular position in the lexicon of world art. They enthralled such Western artists as Whistler, Manet, Degas, and van Gogh, and gave rise to a wave of "japonisme" in the salons of Paris, London, and New York that left a lasting impression. As the successor to previous aristocratic traditions, the ukiyo-e print represents the last flowering of traditional pictorial art before Japan entered the modern era. These "pictures of the floating world" reflected the world of the townspeople of Edo (Tokyo), focusing on the popular entertainments of the day, landscapes of favored scenic spots, and portraits of well-known geisha, kabuki actors, and sumo stars. The present volume delves into the history of these unique artistic endeavors, tracing their development from the lavish works commissioned by aristocratic patrons in the sixteenth century to their peak in popularity among the rising merchant class of the flourishing future capital. As the story of the genre's blossoming unfolds, Mr. Kobayashi's illuminating commentary on all its varied aspects-styles, artists, engravers, printers, and the demands of an insatiable but fickle public-captures the essence of the art and provides a fascinating glimpse into the culture of old Japan. With the large color plates and numerous detailed close-ups accompanying the text, Ukiyo-e: An Introduction is essential reading for anyone interested in exploring the exotic world of the Japanese print.

Japanese Woodblock Prints $110.4 Japanese Woodblock Prints

120 Hiroshige Woodblock Prints $15.96 120 Hiroshige Woodblock Prints

Japanese Woodblock Printing $16.49 Japanese Woodblock Printing

Japanese Woodblock Prints, The Floating World $79.57 The art of the Ukiyo-e reflected the artistic expression of an isolated civilisation which, when it became accessible to the West, significantly influenced a number of European artists. The three masters of Ukiyo-e, Hokusai, Utamaro and Hiroshige, are united here for the first time to create a true reference on Japanese art. The three masters rank highly among the most famous Japanese artistic productions of all time. This new title of the Prestige of Art collection will be a reference for art students and Japanese art lovers.

Ykiyo-E: An Introduction to Japanese Woodblock Prints $16.94 Japanese woodblock prints, or ukiyo-e, occupy a singular position in the lexicon of world art. They enthralled such Western artists as Whistler, Manet, Degas, and van Gogh, and gave rise to a wave of japonisme in the salons of Paris, London, and New York that left a lasting impression. As the successor to previous aristocratic traditions, the ukiyo-e print represents the last flowering of traditional pictorial art before Japan entered the modern era. These pictures of the floating world reflected the world of the townspeople of Edo (Tokyo), focusing on the popular entertainmentsof the day, landscapes of favored scenic spots, and portraits of well-known geisha, kabuki actors, and sumo stars. The present volume delves into the history of these unique artistic endeavors, tracing their development from the lavish works commissioned by aristocratic patrons in the sixteenth century to their peak in popularity among the rising merchant class of the flourishing future capital. As the story ofthe genre's blossoming unfolds, Mr. Kobayashi's illuminating commentary on all its varied aspects-styles, artists, engravers, printers, and the demands of an insatiable but fickle public-captures the essence of the art and provides a fascinating glimpse into the culture of old Japan. With the largecolor plates and numerous detailed close-ups accompanying the text, Ukiyo-e: An Introduction is essential reading for anyone interested in exploring the exotic world of the Japanese print.

Japanese Woodblock Kimono Designs In Full Color $8.49 Japanese art at its most subtly elegant, these luminous 19th-century kimono designs include allover patterns, nature scenes, magnificent floral sprays, and other finely detailed full-color motifs. 62 illustrations.

Japanese Woodblock Kimono Designs in Full Color $11.74 This unusual design treasury recaptures the ancient art of the kimono in all its subtle elegance. Authentic designs from a rare-19th-century source include allover patterns, nature scenes, magnificent floral sprays, and other finely detailed motifs. 62 full-color illustrations offer inspiration and browsing pleasure.

Japanese Woodblock Flower Prints $9.15 Buy and sell [Japanese Woodblock Flower Prints] at great prices.

Japanese Woodblock Designs To Colour $4.18 Buy and sell [Japanese Woodblock Designs To Colour] at great prices.

Guide to Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints, 1900-1975 $55.29 Guide to Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints, 1900-1975

2011 Japanese Woodblock Prints Wall Calendar $9.48 2011 Japanese Woodblock Prints Wall Calendar

2011 Japanese Woodblock Print ENGAGEMENT ( DIARY ) Calendar $10.16 2011 Japanese Woodblock Print ENGAGEMENT ( DIARY ) Calendar

Japanese Woodblock Kimono Designs in Full Color (Dover Pictorial Archive Series) $12.48 This unusual design treasury recaptures the ancient art of the kimono in all its subtle elegance. Authentic designs from a rare-19th-century source include allover patterns, nature scenes, magnificent floral sprays, and other finely detailed motifs. 62 full-color illustrations offer inspiration and browsing pleasure.

Rabinowitch David - Carved Woodblock Monotypes 1962 $21.71 Buy and sell [Rabinowitch David - Carved Woodblock Monotypes 1962] at great prices.

Guide To Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints, 1900-1975 $38.11 Buy and sell [Guide To Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints, 1900-1975] at great prices.

Meisterwerke des japanischen Holzschnitts / Masterpieces of Japanese Woodblock Printing $52.27 Created between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, the ukiyo-e woodcut has been counted among the most influential Japanese contributions to world art since the late nineteenth century. Painters like Monet and Van Gogh succumbed to their charm, followed by numerous artists and collectors all over the world. The subject of this publication are two of the most important German ukiyo-e collections, which present all of the great artists and themes of this genre, including theatre prints, scenes from the red light districts, and topographical landscapes ? from the early phases through to the classic masters of courtesan and actor''s portraits, Utamaro and Sharaku, and including the great names of later years like Hokusai and Hiroshige. Over 240 woodcuts offer a representative survey of the most important chapters of this great Japanese art form.

Ukiyo-e, woodblock printing