Japanese art

Decoration of home

"Autumn Moon at Tama River" (玉川秋月, Tamagawa shūgetsu), ca. 1837-38.
Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川 広重, 1797-1858)
Series: Eight Views of the Suburbs of Edo (江戸近郊八景, Edo kinkō hakkei).
The original edition had 3-4 kyōka (humorous or satirical poems of 31 syllables) related to the scenery. Kyōka (狂歌), "mad" poem, was loved by intellectual people in big cities like Edo and Osaka. Later editions had no poems or some poems were altered. The complete set of eight prints is rare. This design has been considered one of Hiroshige's master pieces.

Namazu-e ~ Ansei Edo earthquake (安政江戸地震), 1855.
According to popular legend, Namazu (鯰) or Ōnamazu (大鯰) is a giant catfish who causes earthquakes. Namazu-e are a minor genre of ukiyo-e. Early namazu-e are thought to have contained some satirical content. Namazu-e (鯰絵, catfish prints) or catfish motif earthquake art, entitled "Shin Yoshiwara ōnamazu yurai" or "The cause of the great catfish at Shin Yoshiwara". The women of the pleasure quarters blame the catfish for the earthquake, but the catfish is delighted to have these ladies press flesh with him, and threatens to squirm again. The Ansei Edo Quake (安政江戸地震, Ansei Edo Jishin) was a 6.9 magnitude earthquake which struck Edo (modern-day Tokyo) on November 11, 1855. (Tokyo University Library)

"Takenouchi no Sukune Meets the Dragon King of the Sea", 1875-1879 ~ Bronze and Glass Sculpture.

This sculpture was created by skilled metalworking artists who looked back to the legendary founders of Japan to celebrate not only their own skills but also the age and prestige of their nation.
Takenouchi dreamed he was called by heaven to destroy a terrible sea monster that was terrorizing the waters for humans and sea creatures alike. Takenouchi undertook this task with great valor, and the Dragon King, Riujin [ree-oo-jeen], emerged from the deep with an attendant to thank him and present him with a jewel that gave control over the seas.
Ryūjin, The Dragon God of the Sea, who lives in the submerged Palace called the Ryūgū-jō castle. He is usually represented in the shape of a very old man, with long beard, and with a dragon coiled on his head or back. His countenance is fierce; he carries in hand the tide-ruling gems. (Foundation for the Arts Collection, The John R. Young Collection, gift of M. Frances and John R. Young, Professor of Sculpture; 1993, Dallas Museum of Art.)

"Tatsuta" (龍田), 1898. 
Artist: Tsukioka Kōgyo (月岡 耕漁, 1869 - 1927).
Series: "Pictures of Noh Plays", Part II, Section I (能楽図絵, Nōgaku zu-e, kōhen, jō)
Tatsuta-Hime is the Japanese Goddess of autumn, dyeing, and weaving. Every year, she dyes silk yarns into the fabulous colors of the season and weaves them into a beautiful tapestry. She then turns herself into the wind and blows the autumn colors away. Tsukioka Kōgyo, sometimes called Sakamaki Kōgyo (坂巻 耕漁), designed a spectacular series of woodblock prints with softly colored backgrounds and richly colored, dynamic figures. Many images are detailed with touches of metallic pigment, capturing the elegance of the sumptuous Noh costumes. With excellent detail and the highest printing standards, these designs are exceptional in his career.

"Flowering Plum Tree (after Hiroshige)" by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), 1887 ~ The influence of Japanese prints, especially works of Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川 広重), remains visible in Van Gogh's works.
Japonism, from the French Japonisme, refers to the influence of the Japanese art, culture, and aesthetics. The widespread interest in all things Japanese (art, furnishings, costume, etc.) blossomed after the opening of Japan to Western trade in 1853-54. The formal composition, use of colour masses, redefined perspective, emphasis on the capture of 'impression', and ephemeral temporality in Hiroshige's work served as a touchstone to the Impressionists. Some critics have gone so far as to call Hiroshige the "first Impressionist". A sensei to the Impressionists.

Traditional Japanese Game Karuta Waka Poem Cards ~ a set of Karuta game cards consists of 100 famous Waka poems from the Heian Period selected by Fujiwara Teika in the 13th century. The life and history of the old time is passed on to the new generations over the years through the beautiful waka poems in the karuta (かるた, origin "carta", Portuguese card) game. (Image: asianartbykyoko.com)

"Court ladies are enjoying Hanetsuki", 1896.
Artist: Toyohara Chikanobu (豊原周延, 1838-1912), known as Yōshū Chikanobu.
Series: "Ladies in waiting of the Chiyoda Palace". 
Three high-ranking court ladies playing "hanetsuki" (羽根突き, 羽子突き) with a "hagoita", a rectangular wooden paddle. This game was a traditional activity of Japanese's New Year, very popular in 18-19 century.