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Kamigata-e (上方絵) is the term used to describe Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints produced during the Edo period and beyond in Osaka and Kyoto, a region known as Kamigata. Although originally inspired by the work of artists active in Edo, kamigata-e soon distinguished themselves from their eastern counterparts through the amateur status of those who produced them and the techniques they employed.
History
[edit]Less commonly referred to as Ōsaka-e (大阪絵) to differentiate them from Tokyo's Edo-e (江戸絵),[1] kamigata-e began as monochromatic illustrations by anonymous artists for popular books of fiction. The earliest artist whose name has survived is Yoshida Hanbee (吉田半兵衛) (fl.1660-92), whose style was close to that of his Edo contemporaries.[2] It is Ryūkōsai Jokei (流光斎如圭) (fl. 1772-1816),[3] however, who is considered to be "the founder of Kamigata ukiyo-e" by starting the trend of depicting actors realistically[4] and even critically.[5] He published the earliest kamigata nishiki-e (上方錦絵) single-sheet colour prints in 1792-3.[6]
Subject matter
[edit]Although there are examples of kamigata-e which fall into the bijinga portrait, fūkeiga landscape and nerimono[7] genres, the “overall output in these genres pales in comparison to Edo masters.”[8] In kamigata-e, the predominant subject matter "was unquestionably the Kabuki actor."[9] Known as yakusha-e actor portraits were popular with print artists and customers in both Kamigata and Edo; however their prevalence in the Kamigata region is particularly striking: "Except for privately commissioned surimono (摺物), kamigata-e single-sheet prints almost exclusively depict kabuki (歌舞伎) actors."[10]
However, some of the print designs are quite bold, innovative, and may pre-date similar Edo conceptions. jaanus re yakusha-e
Connection to Edo
[edit]However, some of the print designs are quite bold, innovative, and may pre-date similar Edo conceptions. jaanus re yakusha-e
Indeed some prominent Edo print artists may have received training in Osaka or Kyoto, and a few, such as Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾北斎 (1760-1849) visited, often to utilize Osaka's superior printing facilities. Thus, kamigata and Edo artists appear to have mutually influenced each other. jaanus sharaku?
Kappazuri
[edit]Kamigata printmakers are also known for popularizing the *kappazuri 合羽摺, or stencil technique of color printing. In 1746 Oooka Shunboku 大岡春卜 (1680-1763) designed the first known book using this technique. By the late 17c, Edo was rapidly becoming the center of ukiyo-e printmaking. jaanus
K 229 Kappazuri (stencil printing) developed in O contemporaneous w nishiki-e in E Colours applied w brushes and paper patterns Earliest documented ex illustrated book Minchou seidou gaen (The Living Garden of Ming Painting) 1746 w designs by Osaka-born Edo-resident Ouoka Shunboku (1680-1763)
Major artists
[edit]- 1600s: Yoshida Hanbee 吉田半兵衛 (fl.1660-92), Nishikawa Sukenobu's 西川祐信 (1671-1751)
Kitagawa 229 Big names in Osaka: Shoukousai Hanbei, Suifutei, Ryuukousai Jokei
Notes:
References:
- JAANUS. "Kamigata-e." Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System. Accessed December 8, 2013. http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/
- Kitagawa, Hiroko. “Kamigata-e: The Prints of Osaka and Kyoto.” In The Hotei Encyclopedia of Japanese Wood Block Prints vol 1. Edited by Amy Reigle Newland, 229-232. Hotei Publishing: Amsterdam, 2005.
- Roberts, Laurance P. A Dictionary of Japanese Artists. New York: Weatherhill, 1976.