ArtHistory 42C pt2

Hokusai

Famous Japanese artist (1760–1849, Edo period) known for woodblock prints, frequent name changes, and over 50,000 artworks. Master of Ukiyo-e.

Ukiyo-e

"Pictures of the Floating World"; Japanese art genre including landscapes, poetry, ghosts, and birds. Hokusai was the most celebrated artist of this genre.

The Great Wave (Hokusai)

Woodblock print from the "36 Views of Mt. Fuji" series (1830–1833); features a giant wave, Mt. Fuji, and use of imported Prussian Blue.

Prussian Blue

A bright blue pigment imported from Germany, novel at the time, used by Hokusai in woodblock prints like The Great Wave.

36 Views of Mt. Fuji

Series by Hokusai showing Mt. Fuji in different seasons, weather, and locations; includes works like "South Wind at Clear Dawn" and "Fuji Seen from Kanaya".

One Hundred Views of Mt. Fuji

Hokusai’s book series with 100 illustrations of Mt. Fuji, in black and white, showing symbolic immortality and innovative compositions.

Maki-e

Sprinkled picture technique; gold powder is sprinkled onto wet lacquer to form intricate designs.

Nashi-ji (Pear Skin)

Gold particles scattered to give a shimmering, variable appearance; used in lacquerware.

Okibirame

Flat gold particles cut into deliberate shapes, forming detailed patterns in lacquer art.

Raden

Mother-of-pearl inlay technique used in lacquerware.

Suzuribako

Writing box used in Edo period, often elaborately decorated with gold and lacquer; held inkstone, water bottle, brushes.

Tebako

Cosmetic box, often gold-lacquered; associated with marriage trousseaus, decorated with seasonal plant motifs.

Inro

Seal case worn by men in the Edo period; decorated with lacquer and gold, symbolizing class and status.

Komakura (Incense Pillow)

Used to perfume hair while sleeping; featured pampas grass and butterfly designs, reflecting Daoist thought and dreams.

Meiji Restoration

1868 political movement that overthrew the Tokugawa shogunate; promoted Westernization to preserve sovereignty.

Josiah Conder

British architect hired during Meiji period; designed pseudo-Saracenic art museums and clubhouses in Japan.

Bank of Japan (Tatsuno Kingo)

Neo-Baroque building modeled after European banks; part of Meiji modernization and the gold standard economy.

Kuroda Seiki

Pioneer of Western-style painting (Yōga) in Japan; known for oil painting, self-portraits, and nudes like “Morning Toilette”.

Sōsaku Hanga

Creative print movement (1910s–1960s); artists self-designed, carved, and printed their own work as opposed to commercial ukiyo-e.

Gutai Group

Avant-garde art collective in post-war Japan; emphasized material life and physical engagement, e.g., 'Challenging Mud' by Shiraga Kazuo.

Mono-ha

Japanese art movement emphasizing natural and industrial materials arranged with minimal interference, highlighting relationships of matter.

Isamu Noguchi

Japanese-American artist and designer; created abstract stone sculptures and public installations like the Sunken Garden.