Over time ukiyo-e developed into popular art form and the subjects of the prints broadened. The equivalent of today’s movie poster were Yakusha-e or woodblock prints of kabuki actors in popular roles and Bijin-ga illustrated beautiful women of Edo.

In the early days, wood block prints were one color with two and three color prints first created in the 1740′s followed by multi-color called nishiki-e (brocade picture) in the early Meiji period.  Hiroshige’s 100 Views of Edo created during the first half of the 1800′s combined images of daily life in Edo, now Tokyo, with iconic landscapes and places.

Ukiyo-e offers a glimpse into life in early japan through its stunning visiual representation of the clothing, events and customs of the time.

How Ukiyo-e Are Created

Making traditional ukiyo-e (woodblock) prints is a complex process that involves the work of at least three artisans:

1. The ukiyo-e artist sketches the design with sumisen (ink lines)
2. The horishi (carver) pastes the sketch on a block made of wild cherry wood and carves out the design. This block, called a sumiita (ink plate), is only for printing the black outline.
3. Other blocks are then carved out, one for each color; these are called iroita (color plates).
4. The surishi (printer) applies color on the blocks under the artist’s supervision. The light colors and largest areas are printed first followed by darker colors and small details.
5. Sheets of paper are then pressed on each woodblock to create the design.  Each block has a marking on the same spot relative to the finished picture to ensure that the image remains aligned throughout the process.

The artisans are so skilled that it is often hard to discern the steps or block used to create a high quality multi-color woodblock print.  It’s hard not to appreciate the beauty if the resulting prints once you are aware of the painstaking process required to create them.

Ukiyo-e in Museums

Visitors to most major museums in Japan will enjoy perusing a selection of famous ukiyo-e prints but one of the best collections of prints is not found in Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka but in a city in northern Japan better know for its ski slopes than its contribution to the art world.  The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is located in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture and is home to the largest private collection of ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), paintings screens and old books in the world.  Over the course of five generations the Sakai family has amassed an amazing collection of over 100,000 pieces.

In Tokyo, visit the Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum of Art or the The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints.

Ukiyo-e for Kids of All Ages

Kids-web Japan has a gallery of some famous woodblock prints and you can even create your own virtual Ukiyo-e to see if you have mastered the process.

Image Credit:  Wikimedia, Utamaro1, Red Fuji southern wind clear morning by Katsushika Hokusai & Dai-ichi no Gekijō Shintomi-za from Tōkyō Meisho by Hiroshige Utagawa III

Ishikawa Prefecture

Ishikawa Prefecture combines the beauty of rugged mountains with lush plains and extendw along the Sea of Japan.  The capital of Ishikawa, Kanazawa, is one of the few great castle towns of Japan that was spared wartime damage.  The city hosts over 7 million visitors each year  and is home to many historic sites.

Download a tourist map of Kanazawa, make a reservation on one of two Kanazawa sightseeing busses or plan on seeing some of these sights independently:

• Visit Kanazawa Castle Park  and wander through nearby Kenrokuen Garden, a prefectural cultural property and special scenic spot (Kenrokuen Garden walking course).
• Try your hand at traditional Yuzen dying or dress in a Kimono at Kaga Yuzen Traditional Industry Center.
• Tour a traditional samurai residence or Chaya, one of three geisha districts in the city.
• Learn about the process of manufacturing gold leaf and see works incorporating this precious metal at the Kanazawa Yasue Gold-Leaf Museum.

In the Kaga/Hakusan area, visit Hakusan National Park, known for being one of the 3 most famous mountains in Japan along with Mt. Fuji and Mt. Tateyama.

In the Noto area of Ishikawa, visit the steeply sloped and picturesque Senmaida Rice Fields or drive your car along 8 kilometers of sandy Chirihama Beach at sunset.

Explore more of Ishikawa with itineraries suggested by the Ishikawa Tourism Guide.

Nagano Prefecture

Home to vistas of the Japanese Alps and often referred to as the “roof of Japan”, Nagano hosted the 1998 Winter Olympic Games and it’s prefectual capital, Nagano City, is situated closely to the geographic center of Japan and only two and a half hours from Tokyo by limited express train.

Visits the castle town of Matsumoto to visit their famous sake breweries.

Take a short walk or a long hike around Utsukushigahara Heights which literally translated means beautiful plateau, and take in the 360 degree view of the mountains on the horizon.

Explore the Hachibuse mountain bike trail (1928 Meter elevation) or add hikes around Matsumoto to your itinerary.

Take in the Saito Kinen Festival (classical & chamber music) in August.

Ski, hike, golf or just relax at Nozawa Onsen, a place that boasts of a history dating back to the 11th century.

Attend the Dosojin Fire Festival each January where prayers for a plentiful harvest, health and good fortune in the coming year are consecrated by the burning of an 18 meter tall shaden (shrine) that is built by residents and blessed by a Shinto Priest.

Visit Zenko-ji Temple, the third largest wooden structure in Japan, where you can experience going through the ordination platform designed to be used during the ordination rites of priests and into a dark tunnel that is said to be home to the key to paradise.

Stroll along the stone paved slopes of Kiso to see historic homes from the Edo Period.

Learn more about what to do and see in Nagano at the Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) website.

Niigata Prefecture

Niigata prefecture borders the Sea of Japan and has been home to thriving seaports since the Edo Period.  The area is famous for it’s onsen, winter sports and sake.

Learn about the history and culture of the port town and prefetural capital, Niigata City, at the Niigata City Museum.

See a Noh play , visit the Sado Gold Mine, learn how to maneuver a traditional Bunya Puppet or play Taiko Drums on picturesque Sado Island.   The island is home to many great events,  museums, and temples.

Visit the Yakiho Village, the shrine of the same name encompasses 13 hectares of land and is home to the Bridge for Gods (Tamanohashi Bridge).  Take the Yahiko-yama ropeway to the top of Mt. Yakiko (638 meters) and stand on the 100 meter rotating observatory to see a 360 degree view of the area, including Sado Island, or visit Yahiko park with its beautiful cherry blossom in the spring or it’s stunning color in autumn.

Visit Yuzawa Town in the Japanese Alps for winter sports, summer hiking, fishing & golf or visit the Yuzawa town onsen (hot springs) year round.

Take of the the recommended tour courses, review the Niigata seasonal tourist information or browse through the Niigata Guide to make the most of your visit to Niigata prefecture.

Odd Facts & Trivia

The Hokuriku Shinkansen (a high-speed railway line) from Tokyo to Kanazawa will come in operation in 2014.

An old belief in Japan dictates that, for men, the ages of twenty-five and forty-two are unlucky.

The longest river in Japan, the Shinano-gawa River (367 kilometers long) runs through in Niigata prefecture.

Chubu Trip Planning

Visit the Chubu Area Tourism Portal to learn about more great things to do and see in the region and to review the ten thrilling scenic sites of Chubu.

Articles in the Japan: A Closer Look series:

• Japan: A Closer Look at Hokkaido
• Japan: A Closer Look at Tohoku – Part 1 & Part 2
• Japan: A Closer Look at Chubu – Part 1

Image Credit:  Flickr, 20080813 Yotsuya 6, IMG_0651 edit & Niigata Ski Trip 2006