Expression of the Edo Period

The exploration of Ukiyo-e and Kabuki.

By Alissa HicksWith assistance by: Natsumi & Ami

Ukiyo-e “Ukiyo” – “to float”

“E” – “picture”

Associated with pleasures of rising middle class Commoners could afford to buy and

commission ukiyo-e

Genres

Beauties (Bijin-ga) Celebrated ideal and real women of

the time. Actors (Yakusyae)

Coincided with play performances Inexpensive and used as souvenirs

Landscapes (Shibaie) Artists celebrated their surroundings Used similarly to today’s postcards

Printing Techniques

Publisher – finances print Decides on theme and quality

Designer – sketches with sumisen (black ink)

Carver (Horishi) – pastes sketch to block and carves out the designs

One for each color including marks to align blocks

Printer (Surishi) applied to actual colors and made the prints

Paper made of mulberry paper due to silky sheen and resistance to tearing

Characteristics

Early – Monochromatic with minimal hand-coloring

Later- many colors, embossing, carving, and paper textures available

Impact of Ukiyo-e on Japan

Japan had early role in printing Saved time and money to make – Mass

Production Available to common people now, not

just rich. Fine detail available in prints

Kabuki Means “song and dance technique” To entertain the audience Tastes of merchant culture Recognized as one of Japan’s 3 major

theater forms

History Early forms, all performers were women

First kabuki performed by Okuni and troupe to raise money

Kabuki Odori – known for vulgarity

Women banned by Tokugawa shogun over fighting concerns due to women’s side business

Wakashu (young men’s kabuki) popular next

Banned in 1652 due to “adverse effect on public morals”

Men’s Kabuki (Yaro)

They play all roles

Onnagata – female impersonator roles

Ejima- Ikushima Affair – 1714

Kabuki jeopardized

Aragoto kabuki style pioneered by 2nd person to use stage name “Danjuro Ichikawa”.

Helped save kabuki by holding night performances

Genres/Themes

3 major categories of Kabuki play types Jidaimono (Historical) Sewamono (Domestic) Shosagoto (Dance)

Common themes Love Suicide Loyalty Revenge Honor

Costumes, Wigs, Make-up Bold colors and patterns for drama

Discards after one 25 day run

Costumes for bushi (samurai) and Kuge (Court nobles) more stylized to represent distance from common people

4 parts of wigs – Bin, Tabo, Mage, Maegami

Essential due to difference in costume types.

Kudomari – trademark of Kabuki for historical plays

Emotion is expressed through color

Red can be good or represent anger

Blue for jealousy or fear.

White for main characters – purity, aristocracy, refinement

Importance of Kabuki

Longstanding tradition in Japan for centuries UNSECO - “Masterpiece of Oral and

Intangible Heritage of Humanity” Way for Japan to continue sharing and

teaching future generations about it’s unique culture

References

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/ukiyo-e/intro.html

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ukiy/hd_ukiy.htm

http://www.hokusaionline.co.uk/code/edo_period.html

http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid=2023&historyID=ab84

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2090.html

http://factsanddetails.com/japan/cat20/sub131/item715.html#chapter-1

http://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/unesco/kabuki/en/3/3_02.html

http://web-japan.org/museum/kabuki/about_ka.html

http://www.nippon.com/en/views/b03001/

www.csse.monash.edu.au

Edoukiyoe.seesaa.net

www.metmuseum.org

https://www.adachi-hanga.com/ukiyo-e/quality/flow

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/ukiyo-e/early.html

http://www.manyoancollection.org/collection-tour/ukiyoe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izumo_No_Okuni

Archive.metropolis.co.jp

www.tafter.it

www.rustixantiques.com

Thestorybehindthefaces.com