Ukiyo-e & Van Gogh

1000 Speakers Conference in English

Noriko Nagura, May, 2015

What’s Ukiyo-e?

- Wood-block printing

- Popular among commoners in Edo period

- Mass-communication tool

- Affordable (¥100-¥400/print) *1

*1 When converted into today’s monetary value.

Ukiyo-e Exported Abroad

- Used to wrap up high-end pottery

- World Expo in Europe in 19th century

Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890)

Dutch Impressionist Painter

Gogh was Addicted to Ukiyoe

Gogh drew replicas of several Ukiyoes.

Let’s take a look at them!

Mansion with Plum in Kameido

(by Hiroshige)

Copy by Gogh

Atake Bridge in Evening Shower (by Hiroshige)

Copy by Gogh

Front Page of Magazine “Paris Illustre”

(Issue of May in 1886)

Ukiyoe by Eisen Keisai For some reason, it‘s flipped around!

Oiran in Dragon Cloud Kimono (By Eisen Keisai)

Copy by Gogh

Portrait of Pere Tanguy (Summer, 1887)

with several Ukiyoes in the background By Hiroshige

By Hiroshige

By Eisen

Keisai

By Kunisada Utagawa

By Hiroshige

Portrait of Pere Tanguy (Winter, 1887)

with several Ukiyoes in the background

By Hiroshige

Portrait of Pere Tanguy (Summer, 1887)

Gogh’s best friend

Geisha girl

Mt. Fuji

Cherry tree

Japan’s symbols!!

Thank you!