The World of the Samurai as Seen Through Nishiki-e

Finished

Nishiki-e are multicolor woodblock prints that were popular from the mid-Edo period to the Meiji period (1868-1912). Nishiki-e depicted the fashions of the time and the state of the world and were sometimes satirical expressions of dissatisfaction with the shogunate. Although there were times when nishiki-e were subject to suppression by the shogunate, many works spread to the world as a result of various innovations by the artists, and after the opening of Japan to the outside world in 1854, nishiki-e had an influence on European art circles, and are still highly regarded today as “Japonisme."

This year marks the 25th year since the Gifu Prefectural Museum began collecting nishiki-e in 1998. The exhibition will focus on samurai who are known for their heroic deeds in history and legend among the many nishiki-e in the collection.