25th Anniversary Exhibition of Yokohama Museum of Art

Fascinating Japanese Woodcut Prints
March 1 – May 25, 2014
Yokohama Museum of Art
From Ukiyo-e to Chiyogami and Contemporary Art –The Diverse World of Woodblock Print Art
Of all the forms of artistic expression, woodblock printmaking is perhaps oneof those for which the Japanese people have the deepest affinity.
During the Edo Period (1603-1868), ukiyo-e prints were ubiquitous, andwoodblock prints became established as the "art of the common people."
Woodblock printmaking was also used to make printed matter such aschiyogami decorative paper and hikifuda leaflets, which were regular featuresof life at this time. With the arrival of the Taisho Era (1912-1926), came theso-called sosaku hanga (creative print) movement, which took full advantageof woodblock printmaking's bold expressionistic potential, and the shin-hanga
KAWASE Hasui, Atago-yama Hill in the Spring from theWoodblock Print Album "Twelve Scenes of Tokyo",
1921, Color woodblock print, 36.5×24.3cm,
Yokohama Museum of Art(new print) movement, which sought to recapture ukiyo-e's detailed lines andvivid colors. Meanwhile, printed matter such as book covers and decorated

envelopes combining a uniquely woodblock print softness of texture with modern design also brought color tothe lives of the people.
After the war, Japanese woodblock printmaking, which had developed uniquely on the basis of both traditionand new innovation, began to garner attention abroad. This in turn led to increased excitement about themedium domestically and, to this day, there continue to be a great many artists who focus their energies on thistraditional technique.
At the Yokohama Museum of Art, we have roughly 1,600 woodblock prints in our collection, dating from thelate-Edo Period to the present. Consisting of some 220 works, primarily from the collection but also including
some new works by contemporary artists, this exhibition demonstrates the attractiveness of woodblock print
expression across historical periods. We encourage you to come and experience the world of "Fascinating
Japanese Woodcut Prints," teeming with originality and the spirit of the common people.

Chapter 1
Late-Edo and Meiji; Woodblock Prints Bring Color to LifeIn this section, we present the wide range of woodblock print expression that arose out of the late-Edo Period.and Meiji Era (1868-1912).

At this time, both ukiyo-e woodblock prints made in the Edo Period style and new Western styles ofwoodblock printmaking were popular, and woodblock prints in general were a constant presence inpeople's live. Chiyogami decorative paper, uchiwa handheld fans, hikifuda leaflets and noshibukuro
decorative envelopes for gifts - all of which were printed at this time using woodblock techniques - helped
define the medium as "the art of the common people."
Chapter 2
Taisho to Showa; The Woodblock Print Revival
In the late Meiji Period, the emergence of lithography caused a decline in the popularity of woodblock
printmaking, but during the Taisho and Showa (1926-1989) eras a group of artists became reawakened to themedium's creative potential. Sosaku hanga saw for the first time the concentration of all related tasks drawing, carving and printing - in the printmaker-as-artist, while shin-hanga resulted from the activities offoreign-born artists working in the ukiyo-e style and the publisher WATANABE Shozaburo. At the same time,
printmakers TAKEHISA Yumeji and KAWAKAMI Sumio became actively involved in creating printed mattersuch as magazine covers and illustrations, letter paper and chiyogami.
Chapter 3
The 1950 and Beyond; To International Stage
After the war, woodblock printmaking spread overseas. Commencing from SAITO Kiyoshi's winning of a prizeat the Sao Paulo Biennale in 1951, unique prints by the likes of MUNAKATA Shiko and YOSHIDA Hodaka
garnered attention abroad, leading to a rapid increase in interest in the technique.
Chapter 4Today; Toward a New Form of Woodblock Print Expression
In this section, we introduce works made since 2000 by contemporary artists.
Even upon the stage of contemporary art, woodblock printmaking is well represented. Confronting
contemporary issues, artists digest the traditional technique and then make something new out of it, thereby
contributing to the constant updating of Japanese woodblock printmaking history.

KOBAYASHI Kiyochika, Shin-Ohashi Bridge in theRain in Tokyo,
1876, Color woodblock print,
21.5×33.2cm, Yokohama Museum of Art (Donatedby Mr. KATO Eiichi)

TAKEHISA Yumeji,
Decorative Paper(Camellia), Color woodblock print,
38.6×27.4cm,
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto(Collectionof KAWANISHI Hide)Admission
Adult: ¥1,100 (1,000)
High School and University Student: ¥700 (600)
Junior High School Student: ¥400 (300)Elementary School Student and Younger: Free
*Admission for high school and younger student is free every Saturday.
(Student ID or student handbook required)*Admission is free for visitors with physical disability certificate and one accompanying person.
*( )= Advance and Group of over 20 people (pre-booking required)*Advance tickets are on sale until February 28th, 2014
*Free Admission on March 29th, 2014

SAITO Kiyoshi, Steady Gaze, 1962, Color woodblock print,
53.0×38.7cm, Yokohama Museum of Art(Donated by Mr.
SAITO Kiyoshi )General Information
25th Anniversary Exhibition of Yokohama Museum of Art

Fascinating Japanese Woodcut Prints
Dates: March 1－May 25, 2014
Open hours: 10:00－18:00 (Last admission at 17:30)
Closed: Thursdays
Venue: Yokohama Museum of Art
3-4-1, Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama 220-0012
TEL：045−221−0300

FAX：045−221−0317

URL：http://www.yaf.or.jp/yma/YOSHIDA Ayomi, YEDOENSIS, 2008, Oil based block on
gampi paper, digital vinyl wall paper※Installation view at NIU Art Museum
Photo by Larry Gregory

Organized by: Yokohama Museum of Art (Yokohama Arts Foundation), Nikkei Inc.
Supported by: City of Yokohama, Yokohama City Board of Education
In Cooperation with: Minatomirai Line, Yokohama Cable Vision Inc., Yokohama FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd., Metropolitan Expressway Co., Ltd., THE YUISTUDIO Hiroyuki Tajima Museum
Nishi Ward 70th Anniversary

Contact
Public Relations Dep., Yokohama Museum of Art
3-4-1, Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama.220-0012 JAPAN
TEL:+81(0)45 221 0319

FAX:+81(0)45 221 0317

E-mail:pr-yma@yaf.or.jp