UKIYO-E IN PLAY | Tokyo National Museum
UKIYO-E IN PLAY
On view April 22 thru June 15
Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Park
The techniques of Japanese woodcut printing developed during the Edo period (1603-1868), giving rise to the dynamic and expressive art form known as ukiyo-e. The word ukiyo, literally “floating world,” also means “of the current age,” and ukiyo-e prints were a form of media that vividly reflected their time, capturing the essence of Edo-period society.
The highly refined woodcut techniques that produced the works of Sharaku, Utamaro, and Hokusai have been continuously passed down to contemporary artisans. The crisp lines and luminous colors, created using mountain cherry wood blocks and printed with ink and water-based pigments on washi paper, are unparalleled and inimitable. These traditional methods endure, evolving through works that continue to enchant people today, and preserving the art form’s legacy for future generations.
This exhibition features contemporary ukiyo-e, works emerging from collaborations between artists, designers, and creators from diverse fields who draw inspiration from the expressive power of traditional woodcut printing. Working alongside the carvers and printers of the Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints, these artists take on the role of today’s eshi (artists who produced the original drawings for woodcut prints), reimagining the ukiyo-e tradition in a present-day context.
Through woodcut prints by 85 artists, we invite you to explore the potential of this time-honored art form as it evolves into the future.
- The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints
Closed
Mondays (except April 28 and May 5) and May 7 (Wed.)
Hours
9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. *Last entry 30 minutes to closing.
Open until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, May 4 (Sun.), and May 5 (Mon.)
Venue
Hyokeikan, Tokyo National Museum
（13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-8712）
・JR Lines: 10-minute walk from Ueno or Uguisudani Station
・Tokyo Metro Lines: 15-minute walk from Ueno or Nezu Station
・Keisei Lines: 15-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station
General Inquiries
+81-(0)50-5541-8600（NTT Hello Dial Service）
Admission
Adults ¥1,400｜University Students ¥700｜Ages 70 and up ¥400
High School Students and under FREE
Admission is free for high school students and younger as well as visitors with disabilities and one caregiver. Please show ID or other documentation at the gate.
Free same-day entry to this exhibition is included in tickets for
Tsutaya Juzaburo (2F, Heiseikan, Apr.22-Jun.15)
and
Immersive Theater (Room T5, Japanese Gallery, Mar.25-Aug.3).
Organizers
Tokyo National Museum, NHK, NHK Promotions
Co-Organizer
The Adachi Foundation for the Preservation of Woodcut Printing
Planning Cooperation
N and A inc.
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