Actor Print

by Toyokuni Utagawa I

<<  Ukiyo-e History   >>

The art of woodblock printmaking began during the Edo period and has preserved itself until today. Japanese woodblock printmaking is unique in art history. And while European printmakers improved the technical quality by inventing new printmaking techniques like lithographs, the Japanese artists and artisans perfected woodcuts from generation to generation.

Japanese printmaking can be grouped into two different periods - Edo and Meiji - and for the twentieth century into two art movements - Shin Hanga and Sosaku Hanga.