109 - Yoshitoshi: Komori no godanme

Yoshitoshi: Komori no godanme

Komori no godanme (Bats in the Fifth Act of Chūshingura [Treasury of Loyal Retainers]), from an untilted series known as Yoshitoshi ryakuga (Sketches by Yoshitoshi) 1880-1883.

In the past in Japan, as well as in China, bats were symbols of good luck. But the modern Japanese view is influenced by western tradition, where bats have a more ominous meaning - so the modern symbolic meaning of a bat is more complex. During the Edo period, however, the old view of the bat as an entirely good omen prevailed.

Ukiyo-e-of-the-Week is back!

During these almost two years since I stopped publishing new material here, I have received inummerable emails asking me to revive this blog. For long I resisted; among a large number of other activities, I simply had not time enough. However, a couple of passionate readers offered to donate some money for the project if I reconsidered, and making this a paying activity would change the preconditions. I agreed to revive the blog for a test period, after that we may see. Upon their advice, I will also put up a link for voluntary donations i Bitcoin. Donations are optional, but be aware that also very small donations make a difference.

Posting returns today, and I will try to keep it to Saturdays, just as before. I will, however, extend the subject of the blog beyond ukiyo-e in a strict sense and include some works from the Shin Hanga and Sosaku Hanga Movements, both of which can be said to be offsprings of ukiyo-e.

Just as before, every post will feature a print, sometimes a painting, and I will accompany it with a brief text. Sometimes the text will be only the name of the artist, the work and when it was made, but mostly I will try to elaborate briefly about artist and motive, sometimes with a short introduction to some element of Japanese history or folklore. I like to see this blog as a combination of entertainment and education: enjoy beautiful art and learn something about the rich Japanese culture at the same time.

Message

For a number of different reasons, I have decided to wind up the blogs Ukiyo-e of the Week and Japankonst. That is, I'm not going to publish new material. However, until further notice, they will remain available as works of reference and inspiration.

108 - Shunsen: Geisha entertaining a client at a teahouse garden

Shunsen: Geisha entertaining a client at a teahouse garden

Here is a scene from Japan at the time, Geisha entertaining a client at a teahouse garden, by Katsukawa Shunsen. This work is from the first decade of the 1800s.

107 - Shigeharu: Nakamura Utaemon III as Shōki

Shigeharu: Nakamura Utaemon III as Shōki

This is a yakusha-e from 1822-1826, which shows actor Nakamura Utaemon III as Shōki. It is from the series Seven Quick Changes (Shichihenge no uchi) by Ryusai Shigeharu, who lived 1802-1853.

Shōki, the Demon Queller, was a protector against demons and disease. Here he is red, in that colour he protected against smallpox.

106 - Hiroshige: Matching the World and Music

Hiroshige: Matching the World and Music

This is a rare and beautiful triptych by Hiroshige. The name of the print is Onkyoku sekai awase (Matching the World and Music). It was published 1849-1850.

105 - Ginkô: Disguised as Woman

Ginkô: Disguised as Woman

Here we have Disguised as Woman by Adachi Ginkô. It is from his most famous series: "Pictorial Outline of Japanese History (Dainippon shiryaku zue)",  published 1885-1889.