Hiroshige & Yoshitoshi: Two Masters of Ukiyo-e

Highlights from the collection of Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

Shibaimachi no Akatsuki (Theatre District Dawn Moon) (1886) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Ukiyo-e

Utagawa Hiroshige and Tsukioka Yoshitoshi were two of the last masters of the Japanese art ukiyo-e. Through woodblock printed ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” artists depicted the contemporary urban lifestyle which was centered around ephemeral experiences emphasizing wit, extravagance, and hedonism. Influenced by traditional Chinese art and professional training schools during the Tokugawa era (1603-1868), early ukiyo-e artists portrayed beautiful women, kabuki actors, courtiers, and flora and fauna. Later artists, appealing to the tastes of a growing and prosperous middle class, expanded the genre to include non-traditional subjects like history, folk tales, and famous landscapes.

Arahiyama (Cherry-Blossom at Arashiyama) (1835) by Utagawa HiroshigeMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

The prints exhibited here largely date to the end of the Tokugawa Period (1603-1868) and the Meiji Era (1868-1912). Hiroshige earned the title of Master by creating intimate, often serene, landscape scenes, and elevating the genre to new heights. Although the medium’s popularity declined after the Meiji Restoration in 1868, artists like Yoshitoshi kept the craft alive through a period of industrialization and rapid social change. His work shows the desire to preserve traditions, but also the necessity of innovation in a new era.

Shijo (The Cool of the Evening at Shijo) (1835) by Utagawa HiroshigeMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858)

Hiroshige was active during the height of
the ukiyo-e movement in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was a
prolific artist of the era, producing over 8,000 designs. Although considered by many modern
collectors to be the last great master of the ukiyo-e genre, he was never
wealthy because he was poorly paid per series. Despite this, he managed to
transform the landscape of ukiyo-e. This series of ten prints, "Famous
Places of Kyoto/Prominent Views of Kyoto" is one of his rarer works.   

Hiroshige was most famous for his landscapes, dominating the subgenre. Landscapes and travel scenes were not traditional subjects, but they became standard due to masterful designs by Hokusai and Hiroshige.

Shimabara (Moonlight, Gate of Licensed Quarter) (1835) by Utagawa HiroshigeMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Yase no Sato (Village at Yase) (1835) by Utagawa HiroshigeMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

The origins of ukiyo-e lie in the depictions of the pleasure-seeking “Floating world” and the people who lived in it. Thus it is no surprise that people are important features of most of Hiroshige’s work, even the landscapes.

Arahiyama (Cherry-Blossom at Arashiyama) (1835) by Utagawa HiroshigeMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Gion-sha setchû (Gion Shrine in Snow) (1835) by Utagawa HiroshigeMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Famous Places of Kyoto is a celebration of the parks and scenic vistas of Kyoto. The series focuses on the intimate interaction between humans and nature in contrast to Western landscapes, which are often devoid of people.

Tsuten-Kyo (Merry Making Beneath Maple Trees at Tsuten Kyo) (1835) by Utagawa HiroshigeMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Kiyomidzu (Cherry-Blossom at Kiyomidzu Temple) (1835) by Utagawa HiroshigeMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

This short series includes depictions of Kyoto at all times of the year. The famous cherry blossom season is highlighted, as well as the rainy season.

Tadasugawara no yûdachi (Shower at Twilight, Tadasugawara) (1835) by Utagawa HiroshigeMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Yodogawa (Passenger Boat on the Yodo River) (1834) by Utagawa HiroshigeMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Hiroshige’s designs are known for being atmospheric. Even when depicting loud, busy, or chaotic scenes, his works often have a serene quality. This tranquility is a key aspect of his distinctive style.

Kinkakuji (Kinkakuji Temple) (1835) by Utagawa HiroshigeMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Shinkan no Tsuki (The Moon's Inner Vision) (1886-06) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)

With active works spanning both the Tokugawa Period and Meiji Restoration, Yoshitoshi is considered the last great ukiyo-e master. Though photography and lithography reigned, Yoshitoshi continued to produce all his prints the customary way. He was innovative, appealing to a more Westernized audience while maintaining ties with the historical ukiyo-e tradition. The following selection of prints are from his most celebrated collection, "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon" (1885-1892).  The series depicts scenes from famous Chinese and Japanese history, poems, and folktales.

Miyajiyama no Tsuki (Mount Miyaji Moon) (1889-11) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Hint: Click on the image in the lower left corner to explore the stories, myths, and characters illustrated in each image.

Shibaimachi no Akatsuki (Theatre District Dawn Moon) (1886) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Yoshitoshi studied under the tutelage of Kuniyoshi, a contemporary of Hiroshige. All three were part of the Utagawa school.

Sesonji no Tsuki (Seson Temple Moon) (1888) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Kuniyoshi encouraged his students to focus on realistic interpretations rather than capturing the general sense of the subject. This realism, combined with bright colors and unique perspectives contributed to Yoshitoshi’s iconic style.

Streetwalker by Moonlight (1887-06) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Gekka no Sekko (Moonlight Patrol) (1885-12) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Ginga no Tsuki (Moon of the Milky Way) (1886-09) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

The moon has long been a popular motif in Japanese poetry, essays, and stories. It is associated with romance, the cycle of life and Buddhist spirituality, all of which are featured in One Hundred Aspects of the Moon.

Gojobashi no Tsuki (Gojo Bridge Moon) (1888-04) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Yoshitoshi illustrated stories which were part of the cultural memory of Japan. Much like paintings depicting episodes from the Bible or Classical mythology in the West, the characters and historic episodes in Yoshitoshi's prints were instantly recognizable to his audience.

Gionmachi (The Gion District) (1885-10) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Waisui no Tsuki - Goshisho (Huai River Moon - Wu Zixu) (1887-06) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Japanese folklore is deeply steeped in Chinese mythology and history. Prior to the Tokugawa era of isolation, trade, philosophies, religion, and stories flowed freely from Mainland China to Japan. Yoshitoshi used this legacy as the basis for many of his narrative prints.

Nanpeizan Shogetsu (Rising Moon Over Mount Nanping) (1885-10) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Tsukiyo no Kama (An Iron Cauldron in the Moonlit Night) (1886-02) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Humorous stories, such as this one about two foolish scoundrels and their ill-conceived plots, create a balance of tones within this series.

Tsunenobu (Tsunenobu and the Demon) (1886-01) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Yoshitoshi frequently derived inspiration from poetry, considered one of the highest forms of art and wit in medieval Japan. In this print and others, he included lines of relevant verse, generally taken from the classical poetry canon.

Ugo no Sangetsu (Mountain Moon after Rain) (1885-12) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Symbolism is an integral part of Yoshitoshi's prints. In addition to poetry, he used well-known visual devices to communicate omens. For example, birds in a scene could suggest the inherent transience of life. A crescent moon meant good luck.

Lady Chiyo and the Broken Water Bucket (1889-11) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Some prints of this series do not depict narrative scenes. Yoshitoshi created portraits of famous historic musicians, poets, and writers, perhaps in an homage to the dying traditional arts of Japan.

Farmers Celebrating the Autumn Moon (1891) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Haso no Tsuki (The Moon Through a Crumbling Window) (1886-06) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Yoshitoshi included religious figures in this series. Famous historical figures of Buddhism feature more commonly in his later work, in contrast to his earlier violent Samurai and macabre portraits.

Shinkan no Tsuki (The Moon's Inner Vision) (1886-06) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Seppu no Gyogetsu (Dawn Moon and Tumbling Snow) (1889) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Despite achieving great acclaim during his lifetime, Yoshitoshi suffered from mental and emotional instability throughout his career. When he passed away at the age of 53 in 1892, many considered the art of ukiyo-e to have died with him.

Otowayama no Tsuki (Mount Otowa Moon) (1886-06) by Tsukioka YoshitoshiMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Although Yoshitoshi may have been its last master, the influence of ukiyo-e has lasted to modern day. Contemporary artists such as Degas, Monet, Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec were inspired by ukiyo-e prints and today museum collections ensure the craft has a global audience.

Billings Family with Sho Nemoto (1887) by UnknownMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Sho Nemoto (1850-1933)

The prints in this exhibit are just a small selection of the hundreds of prints Sho Nemoto sent to the Billings family. Sho Nemoto was a Japanese Christian who met Frederick Billings during a trip to San Francisco. Frederick sponsored Sho’s tuition at the University of Vermont, where he was roommate to Frederick’s son, Frederick Billings, Jr. Sho visited the Billings in Woodstock on several occasions. He remained close with the Billings family for the rest of his life, even naming his son Billings.             Courtesy of the Billings Family Archives, The Woodstock Foundation, Inc.

Portrait of Sho Nemoto by UnknownMarsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park, National Park Service

Upon his return to Japan in 1889, Sho worked as a Christian missionary then served in the Japanese Diet for 26 years. He supported increased Western presence during Meiji Era and the resulting changes. Sho’s lifestyle was antithetical to that of the floating world, yet his appreciation and collection of the art of Hiroshige and Yoshitoshi remained a lifelong endeavor.

Courtesy of the Billings Family Archives, The Woodstock Foundation, Inc.

Credits: Story

With thanks to the Billings Family Archives, The Woodstock Foundation, Inc.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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