Yoshu Chikanobu, Eastern Customs, Enumerated Blessings: Western Clothing (Azuma fuzoku fukuzukushi: yofuku), 1889, Aoki Endowment Collection, Scripps College

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY.- Yoshu Chikanobu (1838-1912) was a popular artist in the Meiji period, the era from 1868 to 1912 when Japan underwent rapid westernization and the emperor was reinstated as ruler. Like many other print designers of these years, Chikanobu worked with subjects of traditional Japanese woodblock prints, such as actors, courtesans, famous sites, and beautiful women, while at first reflecting western conventions in art and picturing current events, such as the Saigo Rebellion and various battles of the Sino-Japanese War. In fact, his prints are frequent illustrations in history books about the Meiji era. However, he later changed his approach and embraced more traditional themes stemming from his recollections of life in old Edo, before the modern period ushered in by the Meiji emperor. Lire la suite http://www.artdaily.com/section/news/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=19665

Yoshu Chikanobu, The Morning East Wind Clearing the Clouds of the Southwest(detail) (Okige no kum harau asagochi) 1877, Aoki Endowment Collection, Scripps College.