Edo Pop: Historic Japanese Woodblock Prints 'Ukiyo-e' And Contemporary Works Inspired By Them At The Japan Society | HuffPost

Remixed Prints From Modern Japan

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The classic example of Japanese art may be "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa" by Katsushika Hokusai, where a dangerous swell rises above two helpless boats. While this suspenseful landscape is unforgettable, it is one of many woodblock prints produced between the 17th and 20th centuries in Japan. Called ukiyo‐e -- "pictures of the floating world" -- these prints feature landscapes, myths and theatrical scenes.

In a new exhibition titled, "Edo Pop: The Graphic Impact of Japanese Prints," at the Japan Society in New York, ukiyo-e becomes a window into the visual history of popular art in Japan. The show includes 100 woodcut prints and 30 works inspired by this traditional technique from 10 international artists.

During the Edo Period in Japan (1615–1868), Tokyo quickly became a cosmopolitan city with a lively arts and culture scene. The availability of cheap woodblock prints meant the average citizen could be an art collector. The Japan Society commissioned AIKO, a Brooklyn-based street artist, to create a mural at the entry of the exhibition. Through this updated view, brothel-dwellers in traditional prints become edgy "grrls" in AIKO's work.

"Edo Pop" is on view at the Japan Society in New York from March 9 - June 9. Take a look at the slideshow below and let us know what you think about the updated ukiyo-e prints.

Edo Pop

(01 of16)

Binnie, Paul (b. 1967), A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo: Sharaku’s Caricatures (Edo zumi hyaku shoku: Sharaku no Giga), 2011. Woodblock print. 17 1/2 x 12 1/8 in. Courtesy Scholten Japanese Art, New York. (credit:Courtesy Scholten Japanese Art, New York)

(02 of16)

Binnie, Paul (b. 1967), A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo: Yoshitoshi’s Ghosts (Edo zumi hyaku shoku: Yoshitoshi no Bakemono), 2004. Woodblock print. 16 7/8 x 11 1/2 in. Courtesy Scholten Japanese Art, New York. (credit:Courtesy Scholten Japanese Art, New York)

(03 of16)

AIKO (b. 1975), mural, 2012. Courtesy of the artist. This piece was created specifically for Japan Society Gallery’s Edo Pop title wall. AIKO will also contribute an original site-specific mural in Japan Society’s Sky Room near the Gallery entrance prior to the exhibition’s opening. (credit:Courtesy of the artist)

(04 of16)

AIKO (b. 1975), Lovers, 2012. Courtesy of the artist. This piece was created specifically for Japan Society Gallery’s Edo Pop title wall. AIKO will also contribute an original site-specific mural in Japan Society’s Sky Room near the Gallery entrance prior to the exhibition’s opening. (credit:Courtesy of the artist)

(05 of16)

Kabukidō Enkyō (active ca. 1796), Ichikawa Yaozō III as Umeōmaru, 1796. Color woodblock print (nishiki-e). 17 ½ x 21 11/16 in. Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Bequest of Richard P. Gale 74.1.192. (credit:Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Bequest of Richard P. Gale 74.1.192.)

(06 of16)

Matsuyama, Tomokazu (b. 1976), I Am Here, 2012. Acrylic on paper. 16 x 22 1/2 in.Courtesy of the artist. (credit:Courtesy of the artist)

(07 of16)

Narahashi, Asako (b. 1959), Kawaguchiko from the series half awake and half asleep in the water, 2003. C-print. 24 1/2 x 35 1/2 in. Private Collection, Boston. (credit:Private Collection, Boston)

(08 of16)

TōshūsaiSharaku (active 1794–95), Osagawa Tsuneyo II in a Female Role, 1794. Color woodblock print (nishiki-e) with mica background. 17 1/2 x 21 11/16 in. Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Bequest of Richard P. Gale 74.1.187. (credit:Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Bequest of Richard P. Gale 74.1.187)

(09 of16)

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), Black Carp, ca. 1842.Color woodblock print (nishiki-e). 13 10/16 x 17 1/2 in. Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Gift of Louis W. Hill, Jr. P.78.65.55. (credit:Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Gift of Louis W. Hill, Jr. P.78.65.55)

(10 of16)

Allchurch, Emily (b. 1974), Tokyo Story 1: Lotus Garden (after Hiroshige), 2011. Transparency on light box. 47 1/2 x 33 3/4 x 2 in. Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, The Christina N. and Swan Turnblad Memorial Fund, 2012.3.1. (credit:Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, The Christina N. and Swan Turnblad Memorial Fund, 2012.3.1)

(11 of16)

Allchurch, Emily (b. 1974), Tokyo Story 7: Nightfall (after Hiroshige), 2011. Transparency on light box. 47 1/2 x 33 3/4 x 2 in. Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, The Christina N. and Swan Turnblad Memorial Fund, 2012.3.5. (credit:Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, The Christina N. and Swan Turnblad Memorial Fund, 2012.3.5)

(12 of16)

Kabukidō Enkyō (active ca. 1796), Ichikawa Yaozō III as Umeōmaru, 1796. Color woodblock print (nishiki-e). 17 ½ x 21 11/16 in. Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Bequest of Richard P. Gale 74.1.192. (credit:Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Bequest of Richard P. Gale 74.1.192)

(13 of16)

Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), The Manor's Dishes from the series One Hundred Tales, 1831–32.Color woodblock print (nishiki-e). 13 10/16 x 17 1/2 in. Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Gift of Louis W. Hill, Jr. 56.52.4. (credit:Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Gift of Louis W. Hill, Jr. 56.52.4)

UtagawaHiroshige_IrisGarden(14 of16)

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), Iris Garden at Horikiri from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, 1857.Color woodblock print (nishiki-e). 17 1/2 x 21 11/16 in. Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Gift of Mrs. Carl W. Jones in Memory of Her Husband P.13,719. (credit:Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Gift of Mrs. Carl W. Jones in Memory of Her Husband P.13,719)

(15 of16)

Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), Under the Wave Off Kanagawa from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 1831–34. Color woodblock print (nishiki-e). 17 1/2 x 21 11/16 in. Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Bequest of Richard P. Gale 74.1.230. (credit: Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Bequest of Richard P. Gale 74.1.230)

(16 of16)

Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), Fine Wind, Clear Weather from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 1831–34. Color woodblock print (nishiki-e). 17 1/2 x 21 11/16 in. Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Gift of Louis W. Hill, Jr. P.70.148. (credit:Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Gift of Louis W. Hill, Jr. P.70.148.)

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