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The New Print Movement of Japan

Traditional ukiyo-e woodblock printing was all but dead in Japan by the early 20th century, and artists were anxious to find a replacement. Their efforts resulted in the shin hanga or New Print Movement. These artists wanted to build on the foundations of the ukiyo-e school using new designs and subjects appropriate to the modern age. They preserved the traditions of working in teams that included the artist, an engraver, a printer and sometimes a publisher.

The shin hanga movement developed between 1911 and 1920, partly as a result of European interest in ukiyo-e prints. Japanese art circles had a low opinion of ukiyo-e until they discovered the enormous impact of Japanese prints on European Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painting. Their new prints brought about the neo-ukiyo-e style or shin hanga. These prints incorporate classic ukiyo-e subjects including lovely women, kabuki actors and landscapes. Once considered popular commercial products, these prints are now highly collectable and often surpass the value of ukiyo-e prints. This exhibition will include prints by artistic giants like Hiroshi Yoshida, Kawase Hasui, Tsuchiya Koitsu, Hashiguchi Goyo, Ito Shinsui as well as foreigners living in Japan using the same techniques.