Edo Pop: Japanese prints
The energy and spirit of 19th century Edo (now Tokyo) is brought to life in
this exhibition of 50 woodblock prints, on loan from local collector Frank
Milner.
The vibrant and colourful prints were 'mass produced' by hand and eagerly
sought after by fans of Edo's popular culture. A single print cost the price of
a haircut or two bowls of noodles. These were affordable images bought by a wide
variety of people.
Visitors to the exhibition can explore an intriguing world of urban
celebrities, actors, sports champions, fashion icons and villains, as depicted
by leading printmakers such as Kuniyoshi, Kunisada and Kunichika, the last great
master of the Kabuki actor print. The prints depict a time of great change and
modernisation, when Western influence was starting to be felt alongside
traditional Japanese culture.
Today these prints are considered to be outstanding examples of creativity
and technical skill, but when they were first made the Japanese government
referred to them as 'trivial Edo things'.
The energy and spirit of 19th century Edo (now Tokyo) is brought to life in
this exhibition of 50 woodblock prints, on loan from local collector Frank
Milner.
The vibrant and colourful prints were 'mass produced' by hand and eagerly
sought after by fans of Edo's popular culture. A single print cost the price of
a haircut or two bowls of noodles. These were affordable images bought by a wide
variety of people.
Visitors to the exhibition can explore an intriguing world of urban
celebrities, actors, sports champions, fashion icons and villains, as depicted
by leading printmakers such as Kuniyoshi, Kunisada and Kunichika, the last great
master of the Kabuki actor print. The prints depict a time of great change and
modernisation, when Western influence was starting to be felt alongside
traditional Japanese culture.
Today these prints are considered to be outstanding examples of creativity
and technical skill, but when they were first made the Japanese government
referred to them as 'trivial Edo things'.
Artists on show
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