Carried away from the woes of life in the floating world

The powerful winter pressure pattern over the weeks brought heavy snowfall across large parts of the country.

I've been chilled to the bone while the highest temperture has been hovering below 5 degrees C here in Nara.
One of the coldest days this season, I spent a pleasant time at the exhibition held at Grand Front Osaka,

UKIYOE IMMERSIVE ART - The floating world of Japan.

 

浮世絵 Ukiyo-e is paintings and woodblock prints that depict the daily life and entertainment of people 

during the Edo period (1603-1867).

"Ukiyo" is originally the word 憂き世 which means “the world to worry about”. 

Since the Heian period (794-1191), it has been used to express a pessimistic view of life based on 

the Buddhist concept of "impermanence".

People worry about hard, painful, sad, or unsettling situation in this earthly world.

During the Edo period, as townspeople gained economic power, their mindset ​​changed to a positive one

 to get through difficult reality with enjoyment.

The word “Ukiyo” got new Chinese Character “浮き世”.

浮かれる/Ukareru is a verb meaning "to get carried away" or "to get too excited."

浮き世 Ukiyo is a world where people pursue fleeting, yet exhilarating pleasure. 

Ukiyo-e was a representative pop culture that was deeply loved by the common people of the Edo period.

The vibrant, colorful prints were affordable to the general public.

It is said one print cost no more than a bowl of noodles. 

They were like “social media” or magazines in that time.

 I passed through Ukiyo-e Spaces to immerse myself in each theme, 藍, 跳, 麗, 彩, 豪, and 雅.

- 藍 AI, Indigo, or Japan Blue -

The contrast between nature's power and serene, quiet stability of Mt. Fuji from unexpected perspectives

 Shades of indigo is one of the representative colors of Ukiyoe, captured in the fleeting appearance 

of the sea water or rainy landscape.

- 眺 Chou, Great View -

Utagawa Hiroshige and Katshushika Hokusai, the masters of landscape prints, make us feel like that
we travel around Edo and along the Tokaido Road.

Katsushika Hokusai, 36views of Mt. Fuji

Utagawa Hiroshige

-  麗 Uruwashi, Beauty  -

Kitagawa Utamaro revolutionised the art of portraying beautiful women focusing on even the smallest strand of hair. 

 His works were overwhelmingly popular at the end of the Edo period. 

Beautiful women express detailed emotions from joy, anger, and sorrow. 

- 彩 Sai, Colors  -

The world of 花鳥風月 Kachofugetsu

Kachofugetsu represents the poetic, artistic, and traditional Japanese aesthetic of appreciating

the beauties of nature, flowers, birds, wind, and the moon in four seasons.

 

- 豪 Goh, Formidability -
Musha-e/Warrior paintings,  Dramatic moments of heroes

- 雅 Miyabi, Elegance -

Mount Fuji is an endearing symbol of elegance and beauty, known for its perfectly symmetrical, 

snow-capped cone shape.

In his 36 views of Mt. Fuji, Katsushika Hokusai portrayed Japan's highest peak elegantly in various seasons, 

in different weather, and from unexpected perspectives.

The print below captures a rare natural phenomenon; the early morning sun, typically in late summer

or early autumn, illuminates Mt. Fuji, truning its slopes a deep reddish-orange color.

凱風快晴 Gaifu Kaisei, Fine Wind, Clear Morning

Linked to Mosaic Monday