The Nostalgic Images of Edo (Chiba City Museum)

(Translated by Google Translate)

Chiba City Museum of Art is known for its extensive collection of ukiyo-e, exhibition a big way on Ukiyo-e was held.

In a related development, about the same time, in the Edo-Tokyo Museum, Ukiyo-e large exhibition was held, in the ukiyo-e fan, it became unbearable the new year.

The exhibition at the Edo-Tokyo Museum, was content to end from the birth of ukiyo-e, such as, an overview of the whole picture, but the Chiba City Museum of Art of this place, was focused on the theme of Edo.

From a called ukiyo-e, it seems various places of the time, scene, people, as depicted there, but, in fact, many of the themes depicted in Ukiyo-e, it is limited unexpectedly.

One, Yoshihara. The established society and the general of Edo, gorgeous world. For ordinary people, a person with limited only enter is not allowed, the space of mystery, wonder was of great interest.

More than anything, the eyes go to the beauty of the gorgeous kimono that gorgeous.

The large-format color print of KeiHitoshi Eisen, the figure of a prostitute who is wearing a gorgeous costume, are learning accomplishment shamisen, koto, reading, and writing are drawn.

Typified by the Kansei beautiful view of Utamaro, beautiful view. At first glance, appear to be exactly the same, beautiful woman of the three persons of Utamaro. While looking good, it's little by little better, but come see the difference.

Rather than the expression of the woman, gesture fine woman, kimono wearing, like props and background, Utamaro, depicts the personality of the woman.

Kabuki, one of the themes typical ukiyo-e drew. In particular, by Danjuro is that boasted a popular unusual compared to other actors, ukiyo-e depicting Danjuro many were on display.

And, again, the brilliant costume gets a lot of looks. Unlike the beautiful image, the picture actor, the personality of the actor of the individual, are divided draw clearly the expression.

In the form of eyes and nose characteristic, someone's drawn, Kabuki fans at the time, should have known immediately.

According to Toyokuni, in the ukiyo-e depicting the dressing room of Danjulo, there is no appearance of Danjulo. However, in the make-up mirror, face Danjulo of having been subjected to the shaded red is reflected. Like, such as Las Meninas of Velazquez, it's witty production.

And, the last theme, the number of ukiyo-e depicting Mount Fuji variety. And say Mount Fuji, the three 36 Views Fugaku of Hokusai come to mind, but otherwise, painter has many depict Mount Fuji.

Composition from the town of Edo, Mount Fuji in the distance that, looking through has become a presence, such as the standard most.

The simple silhouette of Mount Fuji, a person who is easy to draw, it was seen, it can be seen that from its shape, called Fuji easily.

Rather than those through the Edo period, was drawn in Ukiyoe artist who drew it, and figure, of itself of Edo, landscape I think that people, to the eye usually is small, and would like to see, and such as a person, was.

In that sense, it might be good to say Depicted in Ukiyo-e, the dream, the common people of Edo.