Ukiyo-e were woodblock prints produced in Japan between the 16th-20th centuries that depicted scenes of everyday life. They originated in Kyoto and gained popularity in the 18th century, originally focusing on subjects like kabuki actors, landscapes, and beautiful women. Ukiyo-e evolved from using just black ink to incorporating color and being mass produced using advanced woodblock printing techniques. Famous Ukiyo-e artists included Hokusai, Hiroshige, and Kunisada, who are renowned for their colorful prints of actors, landscapes, and beauty.

1. UKIYO-E 浮世絵
pictures of the floating world

2. 浮世絵
Produced between 16-20th century
Popular in 18th century*
Originated from Kyoto

3. GENERAL SUBJECTS
Kabuki* (actors)
Landscapes*
Beautiful women
Artists became popular

4. EVOLUTION
First sumi (black ink)
Added colours*
Later woodblock printing*

5. WOODBLOCK PRINTING
1. Paint & Design
2. Carving
3. Apply ink

6. BEAUTY

7. Attributed to Isoda
Koryûsai., pre 1789,
colour woodblock
prints, hashira-e

8. Toyohara Chikanobu.,1898
True Beauties (Shin bijin).,
Woodblock printed book

9. Utagawa Kunisada.
"Picture of Kanbara”, 1853., Colour
woodblock print, chûban,

10. ACTORS

11. Kabukidô Enkyô.
Portrait of Nakayama
Tomisaburô, ca. 1800.
Colour woodblock print,

12. Hanagasa Bunkyô.
The Three Kingdoms of Actors'
Customs., 1831.Woodblock-printed

13. LANDSCAPES

14. Utagawa Hiroshige.
"Distant View of Kinryûsan from
Azuma Bridge”,1856.
Colour woodblock print, ôban,

15. Utagawa Hiroshige.
"Great Bridge at Senju"
(Senju no ôhashi), 1856.
Colour woodblock, ôban,

16. Katsushika Hokusai.
"Night Rain on Karasaki Pine",
ca. 1800-1802.
Colour woodblock, chûban,

17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaP4wt1n3w0
-Asian Art Museum (Golden Gate Park), 12min