Special Featured Exhibition “Ukiyo-e of the Kamigata Area:
Sophisticated Style and Technique of Osaka- and Kyoto-based Ukiyo-e Artists”
April 19 (Sat.) to June 1 (Sun.), 2014
Overview of the exhibition
The Osaka Museum of History will hold a special exhibition titled “Ukiyo-e of the Kamigata Area: Sophisticated Style and Technique of Osaka- and Kyoto-based Ukiyo-e Artists” in the special exhibition hall on the 6th floor from April 19 (Sat.) to June 1 (Sun.), 2014.
In general, the term ukiyo-e conjures up images of renowned Edo-based artists such as Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, and Toshusai Sharaku, whose works are known as Edo-e. However, ukiyo-e works were also produced in Osaka and Kyoto, known collectively as the Kamigata area, which were called Kamigata-e and enjoyed great popularity among the public.
The history of Kamigata-e dates back to the end of the 18th century in Osaka and Kyoto. Kabuki actors are the main subject of Kamigata-e works rather than beautiful women. Unlike Edo-e works that portray actors in an idealized fashion, Kamigata-e works are characterized by more realistic depictions. Some Kamigata-e works include scenes in bustling entertainment districts and famous sightseeing spots, and reveal a highly sophisticated aesthetic sense unique to Kamigata artists.
Though Kamigata-e is not well known in Japan, ukiyo-e prints produced in Osaka are called “Osaka Prints” and have garnered high praise overseas for their artistic excellence.
Recently, remarkable progress has been made in worldwide research on Kamigata-e. Based on the results of such research, the forthcoming exhibition will explore the world of Kamigata-e in its entirety for the first time in approximately 40 years, through 212 exhibits from domestic collections, of which 15 have never been shown to the public.
| Special Featured Exhibition “Ukiyo-e of the Kamigata Area: Sophisticated Style and Technique of Osaka- and Kyoto-based Ukiyo-e Artists” |
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| Organizer | Osaka Museum of History, NHK Osaka Broadcasting Station, NHK PlanNet Inc. Kinki Branch Office | ||||||||||||
| Co-organizer | New Color Photographic Printing Co., Ltd. | ||||||||||||
| Exhibition period | April 19 (Sat.) to June 1 (Sun.), 2014 | ||||||||||||
| Closed | Tuesday ( If Tuesday falls on a national holiday or substitute holiday, the museum is closed on the following Wednesday, except April 30 (Wed.), 2014 when the museum is open as usual.) | ||||||||||||
| Hours | 9:30-17:00 (Fridays 9:30-20:00) *Please Enter 30 Minutes Prior To Closing | ||||||||||||
| Exhibition space | 6th floor, special exhibition room | ||||||||||||
| Admission fee |
*The fees in brackets indicate prices for those in groups of 20 people or more. *Admission is free for junior high school-aged children and younger, as well as individuals with a disability certificate, etc., (plus one accompanying person each). * Individuals living in Osaka City who are aged 65 or older are charged the adult admission fee. *Advance tickets are sold at the Osaka Museum of History for the limited period between March 1 (Sat.) and April 18 (Fri.), 2014. |
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| Number of items exhibited | 212 (Exhibits will be changed during the exhibition period) | ||||||||||||
| Structure of the exhibition | Chapter 1: Birth and development of ukiyo-e in the Kamigata area Chapter 2: The gorgeous world of kabuki Chapter 3: Beautiful women: Osaka vs. Kyoto Chapter 4: Tour to sightseeing spots in the Kamigata area Chapter 5: Playing with ukiyo-e Chapter 6: Selected masterpieces of ukiyo-e paintings |
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