{"product_id":"the-riddles-of-ukiyo-e-by-josephine-smit-9789493039902","title":"The Riddles of Ukiyo-e","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWomen and men—strong, proud, tragic or beautiful—from the heyday (1765-1865) of Japanese printmaking are the subject of this book. \u003cem\u003eThe Riddles of Ukiyo-e\u003c\/em\u003e seeks to dig below the surface of the prints to describe the often subtle iconography employed in these masterful creations by the most famous artists of their time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt begins with Suzuki Harunobu's subdued and introverted scenes of women seated on verandas. The book then moves on to the spectacular 'big face' (okubi-e) portraits of prostitutes and Kabuki actors by artists like Kitagawa Utamaro, Toshusai Sharaku, and Utagawa Kunimasa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrail 'streetwalkers', forced by circumstance into the lowest ranks of prostitution, are transformed into elegant beauties, obscuring their tragic existence. The spectacle of heroes from Japan's rich mythological and pseudo-historical past crowd the printed sheet. Stern-faced actors drawn by the confident hands of Utagawa Toyokuni and his pupil Kunisada demonstrate the economy of line and powerful expression of the woodblock medium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEach print is explored in the finest detail in order to explain the riddles of Ukiyo-e—the intriguing and captivating mode of visual expression that would have such a profound influence on Western art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47341392232684,"sku":"9789493039902","price":100.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/27606093485567.jpg?v=1772190906","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/products\/the-riddles-of-ukiyo-e-by-josephine-smit-9789493039902","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}