Echoes of Edo: Art and Culture in 17th–19th Century Japan
Japan's Edo period from 1603 to 1868 witnessed cultural development and social structure enforcement during Tokugawa shogunate rule, which maintained peace. Japan created distinct visual expressions during this period, celebrating everyday life, nature, beauty, and spiritual themes. In this blog, I am spotlighting three works that showcase the diversity of Edo-era Japanese art: The collection features a woodblock print alongside a hanging scroll and an ornamental yet practical Japanese object. Every piece originates from a separate artist and portrays different aspects of Japanese culture that continue to impact the modern world.
Katsushika Hokusai
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| The Great Wave off Kanagawa 1831 |
The Great Wave by Hokusai is the most iconic Japanese artwork worldwide because it belongs to Hokusai's renowned series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. The artwork combines the forceful energy of nature with Zen-inspired tranquility through the depiction of Mt. Fuji. Mount Fuji stands still in the back while the waves rise and crash near the front. I am captivated by Hokusai's ability to use space and line in his artwork. The wave patterns resemble claws almost covering Mount Fuji but appear frozen as if captured in a single photograph. The print uses a restricted color scheme with an unbalanced design to emphasize the Japanese idea of ma, which creates peaceful contemplation amid disorder.
About the Artist:
The renowned artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) mastered the ukiyo-e style known as "pictures of the floating world" while frequently portraying nature and spiritual journeys in his artwork. Through Japonisme, Hokusai's prints introduced 19th-century Western audiences to Japanese aesthetic principles.
Hishikawa Moronobu
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| Beauty Looking Back 1680 |
This artwork displays a bijin wearing traditional clothing as she looks back over her shoulder. This artwork represents early Edo-period beauty portraiture through its stretched figures and delicate linework. The simple background highlights the elegance and fashion of the figure. I chose this artwork due to its elegant simplicity. Her expression feels timeless—both coy and contemplative. The scroll depicts a transient human expression reflecting the essence of ukiyo, or the “floating world.”
About the Artist:
The artist Hishikawa Moronobu (c. 1618–1694) established himself as the pioneer of ukiyo-e painting and printmaking. Traditional Japanese painting and modern urban life were his sources of inspiration, and they helped establish a foundation for future Edo painters.
Ogata Korin
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| Inro with Chrysanthemums and Butterflies Late 17th to early 18th century |
An inro is a tiny container for carrying medicine and personal belongings traditionally worn from an obi (sash). This particular example showcases chrysanthemums, which represent longevity, along with butterflies that flutter through their intricately detailed depiction. The delicate craftsmanship of this piece captures my admiration. Japanese art expanded beyond paintings and prints through functional objects that displayed mother-of-pearl glimmers and intricate lacquerwork. The aesthetic appeal of functional designs demonstrates Japan's wabi-sabi philosophy, which seeks beauty in imperfection and transience.
About the Artist:
Ogata Korin (1658–1716) was a prominent artist in the Rinpa school known for its focus on natural motifs and dramatic design elements showcasing luxurious decoration. His artistic contributions combined painting with textiles and lacquerwork and made an impact on aesthetics around the world.
Cultural Context and Reflections
The essence of Japanese culture permeates these works through their themes, materials, techniques, and underlying philosophies. These works were created in a society where Confucian principles prevailed while Zen Buddhist influence shaped cultural practices during Western isolation. The Japanese worldview is uniquely represented by themes of nature's power alongside transient beauty and the elegance found in everyday things.
Hokusai's powerful wave painting, Moronobu's elegant look depiction, and Korin's delicate inro provide distinct insights into life during the Edo period. Their combined work creates an artistic blend that feels timeless while also possessing modern appeal. This timeless quality draws me to Edo art: Edo art has the unique ability to slow your perception and allow you to truly see its subjects, whether they are waves, women, or flowers painted on lacquer.
References
Chrysanthemums by a Stream | Cleveland Museum of Art. www.clevelandart.org/art/1958.206.
Nakamura, and Fuyubi. “Beauty Looking Back | History, Description, and Facts.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Aug. 2023, www.britannica.com/art/Beauty-Looking-Back.
"The Great Wave" is one of my favorite paintings (I have a tapestry of it in my room). It is so strong and bold, appearing as a photograph as you said. I also find it more impressive that it's not an ordinary painting but a woodblock print. It's crazy to think that this was actually first carved into wood before being inked and printed. I also think "Beauty Looking Back" is not only just a beautiful painting for it's technicality in line work but it's depictions of what a bijin (beautiful woman) is in Japanese culture. During my year in Japan, I got to see real Geisha walk in a festival and it's amazing to see Japan has kept parts of traditional practices exactly the same as an image painted in 1680.
ReplyDeleteI also chose The Great Wave off Kanagawa. I really like all the details added to the waves. I agree with your statement that it is frozen like a photograph. That being said, I chose the Edo Period as well, and I think it covers a huge variety of art styles.
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