Nishikie that reflects the times - Ukiyo-e artists depicting the end of the Edo period and the Meiji period
National Museum of Japanese History
Starts 3/25
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Nishikie, a type of multi-colored ukiyo-e woodblock print that was established in the late Edo period, achieved a high level of expression in portrayals of actors, beautiful women, famous places, etc., and is recognized worldwide as a representative form of Japanese art. On the other hand, Nishikie was also distributed through the countless ezoushiya (illustrators' shops) throughout Edo, and played a role as a medium for conveying world events and trends.
This characteristic of Nishiki-e as a medium rapidly strengthened towards the end of the Edo period. In particular, after the genre of satirical illustrations was established with the Tenpo Reforms, some Nishiki-e works depicting social conditions became bigger hits than existing genres such as portraits of actors and beautiful women.
This exhibition will highlight the historical aspects of nishiki-e prints that depict various aspects of the turbulent times from the end of the Edo period to the beginning of the Meiji period, such as wars and upheavals such as the Boshin War, major earthquakes, epidemics of disease, temple and shrine exhibitions and spectacles that attracted large numbers of people, and trends that excited people.
The publishing control laws enacted during the middle and late Edo period prohibited the publication of works that dealt with topics related to the shogunate or feudal lords or political events, so a wide variety of expressions were developed to circumvent the regulations. In addition to displaying nishiki-e prints that dealt with social conditions in chronological order and by subject, the exhibition also introduces how existing subjects were used as a cover to convey information to people.
This characteristic of Nishiki-e as a medium rapidly strengthened towards the end of the Edo period. In particular, after the genre of satirical illustrations was established with the Tenpo Reforms, some Nishiki-e works depicting social conditions became bigger hits than existing genres such as portraits of actors and beautiful women.
This exhibition will highlight the historical aspects of nishiki-e prints that depict various aspects of the turbulent times from the end of the Edo period to the beginning of the Meiji period, such as wars and upheavals such as the Boshin War, major earthquakes, epidemics of disease, temple and shrine exhibitions and spectacles that attracted large numbers of people, and trends that excited people.
The publishing control laws enacted during the middle and late Edo period prohibited the publication of works that dealt with topics related to the shogunate or feudal lords or political events, so a wide variety of expressions were developed to circumvent the regulations. In addition to displaying nishiki-e prints that dealt with social conditions in chronological order and by subject, the exhibition also introduces how existing subjects were used as a cover to convey information to people.
Schedule | Mar 25 (Tue) 2025-May 6 (Tue) 2025 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Adults ¥1000, University Students ¥500, High School Students and Under free. | ||||
| Website | https://www.rekihaku.ac.jp/event/2025_exhibitions_kikaku_nishiki.html | ||||
| Venue | National Museum of Japanese History https://www.rekihaku.ac.jp/english | ||||
| Location | 117 Jonai-cho, Sakura-shi, Chiba 285-8502 | ||||
| Access | 15 minute walk from the South exit of Keisei Sakura Station on the Keisei Main line; From the South exit of JR Sakura Station, take the Chiba Green bus towards Tamachi Shako and get off at National Museum of History and Folklore. The venue is near from there. | ||||
| Phone | 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial) | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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