Ukiyo-e & Saito prints
The print I chose to discuss is Two Characters from the Popularized "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861). I picked this piece because it's absolutely stunning. I found myself drawn to it. Before watching the video of woodblock prints being made I had no idea what the process was like. I had no idea how much effort and how many steps go in to making a single print. It looks like painstaking work but the outcome is really beautiful. When I first saw this print the first things I noticed were the many vibrant colors, small details, and intricate patterns. When you think about the work that went into this print it makes it all the more impressive.
According to the pamphlet, this print depicts two heroic figures from The Romance of the Three Kingdoms which is called one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature. These two samurai are clearly heroic, dignified, skilled and well-regarded as one can tell by how they're dressed and holding themselves. Their heroism is said to be shown through their hairy faces and hands. Something I think is particularly interesting is the pattern that resembles traditional Japanese-style waves on the sleeves, helmet, and bottom of the jacket/pants. This pattern is one among many included in the extravagant outfit. Other patterns and materials resemble fire, fur, gold, and flowers. These images connote traits such as strength, prosperity, wealth, honor, and nobility.The characters' faces remind me of the demonically-portrayed drawings of Perry from the first unit we looked at. This confused me since the information on this print attributed the hairy face and hands to heroism. They've even got the blue in the whites of their eyes! Interesting. Where's the line between hero and demon?
Just look at that detail!!
The Saito print I chose is called Green Buddha. Originally I was deciding between this and the other Buddha print, Silent Prayer, but chose this one because of the interesting asymmetry. Also I love the teal color. This is such a unique-looking portrayal of Buddha and stands out against others I've seen (especially the popular icon-esque images of Buddha) while still maintaining key signifiers like the knobbed hair, long ear lobe, and general long- or oval-shaped head. The design of the print plays with a lot of shapes which gives it a simplistic, modern feel. The nose/eyebrow combo for example. But why the asymmetry? The print would feel, be, and look totally different without it and I think it's vital to it, but what's the significance? It's obviously a deliberate artistic choice. One ear has the point at the top and a long lobe but the other does not. One side of the nose and eyebrow is filled in dark, the other is empty. One eye is also dark while the other is not. Is it meant to represent shadow? The wood grain also seems to be left as part of the design, giving texture to the face and providing a nice background. The wood grain on the neck looks as if it's shadow cast from the left side which would tie in nicely with the darkness or shadowing on the right side of the face. Buddha also somewhat has a Mona Lisa smile. Really lovely print, the more I look at it the more I like it and notice about it!
Your selection of the Green Buddha Saito print is an interesting selection. I have to be honest, while its a nice print, I don't think I would have chose it at first. Your analysis of the picture made me appreciate it more. The right side of the face reminds me of a shadow being cast on the face. This is really interesting consider our classes conversations on shadows. It is almost like half of the face is hiding. It is neat how reading another persons views can change your own about the print.
ReplyDeleteThese prints are pretty neat. I always found it funny how ephemeral RoTK is across not just Chinese but Korean and Japanese culture. Do not pursue Lu Bu! The print is an interesting collaboration of culture as a Japanese depiction of characters from Chinese literature. I especially liked your comparison to the pictures of Perry that we saw earlier. Maybe that's how the Japanese portrayed foreigners in general at the time to distinguish them. It definitely coincides with the time period and the end of sakoku.
ReplyDeleteI was debating on choosing the first print that you put on your blog for my own. I really liked how intricate it is. There is so much line work and layers involved its really hard to imagine the amount of work that was put into making this print!!! I absolutely love the hectic detail and the vibrant colors. It is very different from the second print you chose. I still like this one for the simplicity of it, but not nearly as much as the first print.
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