The largest collection in the Chiba City Museum of Art is ukiyo-e prints. Ukiyo-e prints have developed during the Edo period (1603-1868), and their widespread distribution and low price made it possible for even ordinary people to enjoy them, forming a culture rarely seen anywhere else in the world. Ukiyo-e prints are produced through the collaborative efforts of a publisher, who acts as a producer, an artist, an engraver, who engraves the board, and a printer, who applies pigments to the board and prints the images. Nishiki-e, in particular, is the pinnacle of the polychrome woodblock print technique. Each color plate is made, the paper is aligned with a mark on the wooden board called “kentō” and the color is printed over and over so that the colors do not shift, resulting in a vividly colored picture.

　With a grant from the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Innovate Museum, we will hold a five-day event to learn the techniques of Ukiyo-e printmaking. In addition to exhibiting the tools used for carving and printing, the paints, the sequential printing showing the printing process, and the paints used, etc., and experiencing the layering stamping process, there will be demonstrations of printing and hairdressing, and traditional performing arts from the Edo period. Let’s enjoy Edo culture while learning the techniques of Ukiyo-e prints during the New Year.

Ukiyo-e printmaking demonstration and explanation [by the Adachi Foundation]

January 18 (Wed.) 11:00am
20 (Fri.) 2:00pm
21(Sat.) 5:30pm

The Adachi Foundation, which preserves the technique of color woodcut printing that gave birth to the Ukiyo-e masterpieces, will demonstrate and explain the process of woodcut printmaking. On the evening of Friday, 20th, the lecture will be made in English.

New Year’s lion dance [by Nobuto Kagura Musical Group of Nobuto Jinja Shrine]

January 21(Sat) 10:00

Since before the Edo period, New Year’s has always been associated with lion dance. Let’s pray for good health and good fortune for the year ahead.

Traditional hairdressing demonstration [Explanation by Murata Takako / Hairdressing by Hayashi Teruno]

January 20(Fri.)  14:00 

The hairdresser Ms. Hayashi will reproduce with commentary by Ms. Murata the yoko-hyōgo, a female hairstyle depicted in Ukiyo-e paintings to be exhibited at the “Chōbunsai Eishi” Exhibition to be held from January to March 2024.

Traditional candy craft demonstration [by Hanawa Chanosuke, candy craftman]

January 20 (Fri.) 11:00am
 21(Sat.) 1:30pm

Candy craft has fascinated children in theEdo period. Mr. Hanawa, a candy craftsman will make c andies a ccording to your requests, such as animals, insects, etc.

Ukiyo-e Week Events Schedule

※The exhibition is open for viewing at any time during the exhibition period.