Title

Japan at the dawn of the modern age - Woodblock prints from the Meiji era.

Author

Donald Keene, Anne Nishimura Morse, and Frederic A. Sharf
catalogue by Louise E. Virgin

Source

[Not applicable]

Details

Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, 2001

Publication date

2001

Physical description

pp.160, illus. 94 col, 5 b&w

ISBN

0878466193

Type

Exhibition catalogue

Language

English

Country of context

Japan

Abstract

"Part commercial art, part pre-photojournalism, part propaganda tool, the Meiji prints chronicle Japan's rush toward modernization at the turn of the century. Unlike traditional ukiyo-e prints, these woodblock prints from the reign of Emperor Meiji (1868-1912) depict current events rather than timeless scenes. Dynamic reproductions of 80 of these prints beautifully illustrate their inventive use of strong, vivid colors, reflecting the vibrancy of Japan's culture and prefiguring such contemporary art forms as manga and animes. The text, featuring two previously unpublished essays by the renowned historian and biographer Donald Keene, examines the life and times of Emperor Meji, as well as the individual prints and their background." [blurb]