Ukiyo-e / 浮世絵

Ukiyo-e, established during the Edo Period (1603-1868), are woodblock prints that became a popular form of entertainment among the common people of Edo. These prints depicted a variety of subjects including popular geishas, sumo wrestlers, kabuki actors, beautiful landscapes like Mount Fuji, local folklore, and flora and fauna. Ukiyo-e was often used as wrapping paper for exported goods such as lacquerware and porcelain, which were only traded through the Netherlands, the sole international trading partner at the time. This reuse introduced ukiyo-e to Europeans who recognized their artistic value, eventually making them highly esteemed. The influence of ukiyo-e on many artists, including Vincent van Gogh, is well-documented and widely acknowledged.