This colourful and exotic subject has not been addressed for many years in this area, and the Friends of the Folkestone Collections are fortunate in being able to tap into several private collections of this rather neglected art form.
Images of the Floating World
The prints shown are an aspect of the popular art of Japan known as Ukiyo-e (Images of the Floating World), meaning in our terms, The Passing Show, or the ephemeral world. Developing from paintings for the imperial court, these prints emerged in the late seventeenth century during the period in which the shoguns, the warrior-princes, set up their own power bases away from the imperial court at Kyoto. Such was the origin of Tokyo, then known as Yedo, the stronghold of the Tokugawa dynasty of shoguns. Yedo was the birthplace and leading producer of these popular prints.
Since Japan still remained closed to the outer world, the prosperity of the cities founded by the shoguns, turned inwards. The art of the people therefore focussed on the diversions of the city, such as the theatre and popular actors, the pleasure houses, geishas, folk tales, scenic beauty, and seasonal events. Thus Ukiyo-e was essentially an urban art form.
Wood Block Printing created these beautiful works of art
The desire for these woodblock colour prints (which could be likened to our ‘pin-ups’ of more recent times) was catered for by publishers who organised their production. Prints, which are essentially multiples, made them affordable to all classes. They were cooperative efforts in which the artist drew his design in outline on thin paper which would be pasted on to a wood block. The engraver would then cut away the wood, through the paper, leaving the outline drawing in relief. This would be printed as a key to the design. On this print the artist would indicate the areas of colour and pattern, following which the engravers would cut a separate block for each such area. Many blocks would make up a complete colour print. A printing press was not used, but the block was placed upward and the paper placed upon it. The back of the paper was then rubbed with a pad, effecting a print on the underside of the paper. The paper was made of mulberry fibres which is soft and absorbent but strong enough to withstand the friction of the rubbing.
Works from the mid-eighteenth century
The period considered to be the finest of the Ukiyo-e art was from approximately the mid-eighteenth century to the mid-nineteenth century, after which Japan finally opened its ports to the world, revealing its arts to Western eyes. Western artists were the first to appreciate and collect them, and their effect on Western Art is now well-known. Alas, the original circumstances in which they arose, together with Japanese society itself, changed in the new Meiji era (1868-1912), with the result that the traditional art of the Japanese print-maker gradually died.
The Friends of the Folkestone Collections are fortunate in finding an expert on the subject, Dr. Scott Anderson (University of Southampton, Solent), who will enlighten us with an illustrated talk on 2 April. For those who wish to enjoy a total Japanese experience, the lecture will be followed by a 3-course Japanese-themed meal.
Location: The Grand on The Leas, Folkestone, the Palm Court
Date and Times: 3 to 19 April 2010. Daily 10.00am to 4.00pm
Press and Private View: Friday 2 April, 6-7pm.
Special Dinner/Lecture: 7.15pm, Lecture by Dr F Scott Anderson, ‘Japanese Prints – their influence on Western Art’.
8.15pm, 3-course Japanese-themed meal. £15 per head (tickets from The Grand, tel. 01303 222 222 or info@grand-uk.com)
For further information phone Mrs Pat McMath (01303 256265), Mike Umbers (01303 265118), Bryony Kapoor (01797 364937)
