Japanese: Art Edo Period

1603–1868

Edo-period art developed during a long era of political stability and isolation. It is known for woodblock prints, genre scenes, landscapes, and popular culture imagery. Artists depicted everyday life, entertainment, and seasonal beauty. The period had a major influence on later modern art worldwide.

Coquettish Type

Kitagawa Utamaro

1793

A print of a stylish courtesan, highlighting beauty and charm.

Salt Maidens on the Tago-no-ura Beach with Mount Fuji Behind

Suzuki Harunobu

c. 1767

A print showing women by the sea, with Mount Fuji in the distance.

The Actor Fujimura Handayu as a Keisei

Torii Kiyomasu

c. 1700

A kabuki actor print, celebrating the lively theatre culture of Edo Japan.

A Young Man Dallying with a Courtesan

Hishikawa Moronobu

c. 1680

An early ukiyo-e print portraying romance and pleasure in Edo Japan.