6. The Beloved Wife’s Particolored Reins
Ōtani Oniji III as Edobei in the Kabuki play The Beloved Wife’s Particolored Reins, by Tōshūsai Sharaku, 1794
Source: British Museum
At the time, some of the most popular woodblock prints depicted Kabuki actors. These works often captured dramatic expressions, exaggerated poses, and bold contrasts of color, reflecting the intensity of theatrical performance.
Kabuki theater has long been—and remains—an essential part of Japanese culture. Performers use stylized gestures, elaborate costumes, music, and pauses to create powerful stage effects. Many actors became legendary figures, and Ukiyo-e artists frequently emphasized each actor’s unique personality and performance style in their prints.
7. The Sea at Satta in Suruga Province
The Sea at Satta in Suruga Province by Utagawa Hiroshige, 1859
Source: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
This landscape print pays homage to Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave, particularly through its dynamic, curving waves.
Landscape prints marked a major turning point in Ukiyo-e design. Before the 1830s, prints mainly focused on beautiful women, actors, and urban life. After that period, landscapes grew in popularity, signaling a shift toward nature. This change may reflect the rise of domestic travel in Japan and an increased demand for souvenirs from famous locations such as Mount Fuji.
8. Evening Glow at Ryōgoku Bridge
Evening Glow at Ryōgoku Bridge by Torii Kiyonaga, from Eight Views of Edo, 1782
Source: British Museum
Kiyonaga used innovative composition techniques that make the viewer feel as if they are looking through a frame or window. This approach reflects growing Western influence, particularly in the adoption of one-point perspective.
Earlier Edo-period prints often represented depth by tilting the ground plane or stacking elements vertically. However, with increased trade and cultural exchange, artists began incorporating Western spatial techniques. Kiyonaga’s work clearly demonstrates this shift, presenting a more realistic sense of depth and space.
9. Toki Jūrōzaemon Mitsuchika
Toki Jūrōzaemon Mitsuchika by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, from Heroes of the Great Peace, 1848–1850
Source: British Museum
Warrior prints form the third major category of Ukiyo-e. Although less widely appreciated today due to their intense and dynamic style, they are among the most complex and politically meaningful works.
During the 18th century, Japan imposed strict censorship on imagery related to warfare and political criticism. Artists responded creatively by setting stories in distant historical periods or using symbolic representations to avoid restrictions.
In this print, Kuniyoshi portrays a warrior navigating through wounded companions to carry out an assassination plot against Toyotomi Hideyoshi. By altering names and historical settings, the artist skillfully bypassed censorship while still conveying powerful narratives.
10. A Mesmerizing Ukiyo-e Print: View of Maruyama in Nagasaki
View of Maruyama in Nagasaki by Utagawa Hiroshige II, from One Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces, 1859
Source: British Museum
This print captures the refined cultural atmosphere of Edo-period life. In the foreground, two elegantly dressed women—possibly courtesans—wear richly patterned garments reflecting traditional aesthetics.
The elevated background is used to suggest spatial distance, a common technique in earlier Ukiyo-e. However, Western influence is also evident in the architectural details, such as the structure of buildings and the sloping lines of roofs and verandas. These elements highlight the stylistic evolution of Ukiyo-e as it absorbed new artistic ideas from abroad.
See Part 1 here.