Aug. 1-Sept. 27
This year marks the 250th anniversary of nishiki-e (multicolored ukiyo-e prints). Established by Harunobu Suzuki (1725-1770), nishiki-e improved on the first tinted ukiyo-e, which used just two or three colors to add warmth to illustations. Using many colors, applied with multiple blocks, the vibrancy of nishiki-e made them popular throughout Edo (present-day Tokyo).
Usually prints are only credited to the artist, but this exhibition also highlights craftsmen who carved the print blocks with the artists' designs and processed the artworks. Such artisans include Minokichi Koizumi and Takejiro Yokoyama, both of whom were so well respected for their skills that they were allowed to sign the prints they were associated with.
Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum of Art; 1-10-10 Jingumae Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Harajuku Stn. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. ¥700. Closed Mon. 03-5777-8600; www.ukiyoe-ota-muse.jp
