Japanese Prints 日本の版画　NELLY DELAY

“L’ESTAMPE JAPONAISE (Japanese Prints)”
By Nelly Delay / Published by Hazan

This book is an art book that systematically and visually explains the history and artistic characteristics of Japanese prints, focusing on Ukiyo-e. As is typical of the French art publisher Hazan, the balance between illustrations and explanations is excellent, and the structure is professional yet easy for general readers to understand.

Main Contents and Structure (Overview)
1. Origins and Development of Japanese Prints
The beginning of prints in Japan (Buddhist prints, etc.)

The establishment and spread of Ukiyo-e in the Edo period

The social background in which prints spread as "popular culture"

2. Techniques of Ukiyo-e
The production process of woodblock prints
(Division of labor between the artist, carver, and printer)

The evolution from ink printing to multi-color printing (nishiki-e)

Technical characteristics such as washi paper, pigments, and gradation (bokashi-zuri)

3. Main Genres
Beautiful women pictures (bijin-ga)

Actor prints (yakusha-e)

Landscape prints (fukei-ga)

Bird-and-flower paintings (kachō-ga)

Warrior pictures and historical paintings (musha-e/rekishi-ga)
The characteristics and representative works of each genre are explained.

4. Representative Artists
Hishikawa Moronobu

Suzuki Harunobu

Kitagawa Utamaro

Tōshūsai Sharaku

Katsushika Hokusai

Utagawa Hiroshige, etc.

Differences in the styles of each artist and changes in expression over time are organized.

5. Influence on Western Art (Japonisme)
The reception of Japanese prints in 19th-century Europe

Influence on Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, etc.

The significance of Japanese prints on modern art

6. Aesthetics of Japanese Prints
Planar composition

Bold cropping

Asymmetry

Expression of seasonal feelings and the beauty of everyday life

Features of the Book
Numerous high-quality color illustrations are included

Balances art historical perspectives and points of appreciation

Carefully explains the characteristics of Japanese art for Western readers