A veritable who’s who of ukiyo-e, the Ueno Royal Museum’s early-summer showcase shines the spotlight on the form’s most celebrated artists. Running until July 6, the exhibition features approximately 140 works, offering an extraordinary opportunity to explore the golden age of Japanese woodblock printing through its most iconic figures.
The show presents a rare assembly of masterworks from five legendary artists who shaped the ukiyo-e tradition across diverse genres. Kitagawa Utamaro’s graceful and sensual portraits of women from the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters evoke the refined elegance of Edo’s vibrant nightlife, while Toshusai Sharaku’s dynamic and enigmatic actor portraits, produced over a brief yet prolific period, remain some of the most striking works in Japanese art.
Meanwhile, Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji master Katsushika Hokusai reveals the boundless imagination that eventually earned him global fame. Utagawa Hiroshige’s poetic landscapes, with their rain-soaked streets and moonlit scenes, transport viewers through Edo’s seasons, while Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s bold, humorous warrior prints showcase his innovative spirit and visual wit.
