Size matters! In this groundbreaking exhibition,Japan Museum SieboldHuis presents the enormous variety inshapes and formats of Japanese printmaking. To begin with, there are many types of Japanse printed matter.In addition to the well-known prints of Japanese landscapes actors and geishas, there are also multi-sheetcompositons, fans, pillar prints, luxury square-shaped prints (surimono) and board games. Despite the limitedsize of the paper and woodblocks, publishers and printmakers managed to create an endless variety ofprinted matter. Get to know the history of Japanese printmaking and the art of handmade paper in thisexhibition. Come face to face with works by such famous artists as Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858),Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1848) and Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865).
Woodblock prints
The diversity of products made in Japan with the world-famous woodblock printing technique is immense. Forcenturies this technique has been used to print images and texts on paper. The woodblock printing techniquehas existed since the 8th century, yet it was not until the 17th century that commercial publishing flourished.This technique first focused on books, but around 1680 prints also appeared. Initially these prints had eroticthemes, some of which are also on display in this exhibition. Images of actors from the kabuki theatre andwomen from the entertainment districts were soon added. Eventually themes of landscapes, heroes, folkloreand flora and fauna were included.
Japanese paper
Not only are the woodbocks and the quality thereof important in creating a print, an equally determining factorin the shapes and sizes of a Japanese print is the paper on which it is printed. Printmakers implementedinnovative methods to make use of the properties and dimensions of the paper and create strikingly vividcompositions. For example, there are long, narrow prints that allow the viewer a fleeting look at an exciting scene, there are spectacular battle scenes with warriors that cover no less than six large sheets and there areupright formats that zoom in to such as degree that the image seems to escape from the paper. All these formsand formats are revealed in this versatile exhibition and shed new light on Japanese printmaking.
Don’t miss this exhibition. Fall under the spell of the fascinating world of Japanese printmaking this winter!
20 December 2024 – 16 March 2025