Japan Italy: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
[:it]
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Photo Credits: Google Images
Le connessione fra Italia e Giappone sono sempre più numerose, e un’altra recente testimonianza di questo legame è la mostra dedicata al maestro Utagawa Kuniyoshi allestita presso il Museo della Permanente a Milano.
Utagawa Kuniyoshi nacque il 1º gennaio 1798 con il nome di Yoshisaburō. Assunse poi, nel 1814, il nome con cui tutti lo conosciamo. Utagawa viene dal nome del suo maestro, Utagawa Toyokuni. Kuniyoshi invece è l’unione tra la seconda parte del cognome del maestro e la prima parte del proprio nome. Sin da piccolo aveva sviluppato una grande abilità nel disegno, attirando l’attenzione del famoso maestro di stampe ukiyo-e Utagawa Toyokuni.
Kuniyoshi è considerato uno degli ultimi grandi maestri della silografia giapponese Ukiyo-e (un genere di stampa artistica giapponese su carta, impressa con matrici di legno, fiorita nel periodo Edo). Sempre molto attento ai dettagli, specialmente negli abiti che rappresentava fine nei minimi particolari, questa abilità non stupisce essendo suo padre un tintore di seta. Amava sperimentare giocando spesso con l’uso del chiaroscuro e delle sfumature, e cercò anche di dare profondità alle sue opere.
Kuniyoshi realizzava spesso Trittici, Yoko-e, ovvero stampe in formato orizzontale o ‘panorama’, ma anche stampe singole. Alcune delle sue opere più famose sono Miyamoto Musashi e la Balena, Takiyasha la strega e lo scheletro spettro, Donna coraggiosa della provincia di Omi, Un giorno poco fortunato.
Photo Credits: Google Images
Photo Credits: Google Images
I TEMI
Photo Credits: Google Images
Diversi erano i temi più rappresentati da Kuniyoshi. I più famosi e ricorrenti sono i Gatti, Toko, le caricature, ma anche Eroi e Samurai. Kuniyoshi era un grande appassionato di gatti e ha prodotto molte stampe rappresentanti felini. Li aggiungeva spesso anche in altre opere, ad esempio quelle rappresentanti persone come decoro dei loro abiti.
Photo Credits: Google Images
Photo Credits: Google Images
Photo Credits: Google Images
Eroi e Samurai
Photo Credits: Google Images
Molte delle silografie di Kuniyoshi rappresentanti guerrieri e samurai sono ispirate a leggende e racconti di guerra noti quali La storia della famiglia Taira (Heike monogatari) e Ascesa e declino di Minamoto e Taira (Genpei Seisuiki). L’aspetto innovativo delle sue stampe di eroi delle leggende popolari, che si differenziavano da altre opere analoghe del tempo,consisteva in una decisa accentuazione degli elementi fantastici. Ciò lo si nota in particolare nelle atmosfere cupe con apparizioni spettrali, nei presagi e nella rappresentazione dei condottieri come esseri quasi sovrumani. Questi aspetti fantastici si ritrovano per esempio in Taira Tomomori borei no zu e nel trittico del 1839 Gōjō no bashi no zu. In quest’ultima, viene rappresenta con efficacia la lotta violenta tra Yoshitsune e Benkei. Questo stile narrativo incontrava l’interesse del pubblico che in quegli anni era orientato ai temi dell’horror e del grottesco.
Figure Femminili e Teatro Kabuki
Photo Credits: Google Images
A seguito della riforma governativa Tenpō degli anni 1841–1843, la diffusione di stampe e disegni di attori e cortigiane fu ufficialmente bandita. Tale riforma aveva infatti lo scopo di far fronte alla crisi economica in atto anche attraverso una limitazione degli spettacoli teatrali e il controllo pubblico dello sfoggio di lusso e sfarzo.
Questo può aver in qualche modo influenzato la produzione da parte di Kuniyoshi di stampe caricaturali o comiche, utilizzate per rappresentare attori e cortigiane in modo celato. Molte di queste stampe criticavano in modo sottinteso e umoristico persone legate allo shogunato.
Photo Credits: Google Images
Per esempio, una stampa del 1843 raffigurava Minamoto no Yorimitsu addormentato, aggredito da Earth Spider e i suoi demoni. Questa silografia divenne popolare tra il pubblico insofferente alle nuove leggi suntuarie.
Verso la fine degli anni quaranta, Kuniyoshi ritornò alla produzione di stampe di attori di teatro Kabuki, eludendo ancora una volta la censura grazie al ricorso alla caricatura. Tra le opere di questo periodo, la più famosa è Nitakaragurakabe no mudagaki. Qui, in modo molto creativo, ha posto un testo elementare scritto in calligrafia infantile in caratteri kana sotto il viso dell’attore.
Il suo amore per i felini traspare anche nella rappresentazione di gatti che impersonificano la figura umana in stampe kabuki e in stampe dal tono satirico. Nel medesimo decennio sperimentò anche nuove composizioni, valorizzando elementi visivi per accentuare l’effetto drammatico.
Info e contatti
La mostra ‘Kunyioshi. Il visionario del mondo fluttuante’ espone una grande varietà di opere. 165 silografie policrome provenienti dalla Masao Takashima collection che ripercorrono la carriera del maestro. Prodotta da MondoMostre Skira e curata da Rossella Menegazzo, il percorso si divide in 5 sezioni tematiche. “Beltà”, “Paesaggi”, “Eroi e guerrieri”, con una speciale sottosezione dedicata agli “Eroi Suikoden” (I briganti), “Animali e parodie”, e naturalmente una sezione dedicata ai “Gatti”.
Una mostra davvero interessante che rappresenta uno spaccato sull’universo Giapponese, e che potrete visitare fino al 28 gennaio.
PRENOTAZIONI VISITE GUIDATE GRUPPI E SCUOLE:
info@adartem.it; www.adartem.it
UFFICI STAMPA:
MondoMostre Skira
Lucia Crespi | tel. + 39 02 89415532 | lucia@luciacrespi.it
Federica Mariani | tel. +39 366 6493235 | federicamariani@mondomostre.it | www.mondomostre.it
Barbara Notaro Dietrich | tel. +39 348 7946585 | b.notarodietrich@gmail.com
INFOLINE E PREVENDITE:
tel. 0299901905 – www.vivaticket.it
BIGLIETTI (audioguida inclusa)
- Intero: € 13,00
- Ridotto: € 11,00
Visitatori dai 6 ai 26 anni, portatori di handicap, gruppi (minimo 15 massimo 25 – dal lunedì al venerdì), insegnanti, militari, forze dell’ordine non in servizio, possessori Skira card; - Ridotto Speciale: € 8,00
Giornalisti con tesserino ODG con bollino dell’anno in corso non accreditati dall’ufficio stampa - Ridotto Speciale: € 6,00
Gruppi Scuole – dal martedì alla domenica (minimo 15 massimo 25 con tolleranza fino a 29), scuole di ogni ordine e grado; - Gratuito: € 0,00
minori di 6 anni, guide turistiche abilitate con tesserino di riconoscimento, un accompagnatore per ogni gruppo, due accompagnatori per ogni gruppo scolastico, un accompagnatore per disabile che presenti necessità, giornalisti accreditati dall’Ufficio Stampa della Mostra, dipendenti della Soprintendenza ai Beni Paesaggistici e Architettonici di Milano, tesserati ICOM, guide turistiche (previa esibizione di tesserino di abilitazione professionale), componenti commissione vigilanza e vigili del fuoco (previa esibizione di tessera non nominativa);
[:en]
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Photo Credits: Google Images
Connections between Italy and Japan are steadily increasing, and a recent proof of this bond is an exhibition dedicated to the ukiyo-e master Utagawa Kuniyoshi, on display at the Museo della Permanente in Milan.
Utagawa Kuniyoshi was born on January the 1º, 1798, with the name of Yoshisaburō. Later, in 1814, he took the name we all know. Utagawa derives from the name of his master, Utagawa Toyokuni. Instead Kuniyoshi derives from the second half of his master’s surname and the first half of his own name. From an early age he had developed a great ability in drawing, attracting the attention of the famous ukiyo-e master Utagawa Toyokuni.
Kuniyoshi is considered as one of the last great masters of the Japanese Ukiyo-e style prints (a kind of Japanese print on paper made with wooden matrices, that flourished in the Edo period). Always attentive to details, especially for dresses that were represented with great accuracy, this ability should not come as a surprise, being him the son of a silk-dyer. He loved to experiment, often playing with the use of chiaroscuro and shades, and he also tried to add depth to his works.
Kuniyoshi often produced triptychs, Yoko-e, a print in horizontal or “landscape”, but also single sheet prints. Some of his most famous works are Miyamoto Musashi and the Whale, Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre, The brave woman of the Omi Province, An unfortunate day.
Photo Credits: Google Images
Photo Credits: Google Images
THEMES
Photo Credits: Google Images
Many where the themes represented by Kuniyoshi. The most famous and recurring ones were Cats, Toko, Caricatures, but also Heroes and Samurai. Kuniyoshi greatly loved cats and he produced many prints representing these felines. He often added them to other works, for example in prints with people as decoration to their dresses.
Photo Credits: Google Images
Photo Credits: Google Images
Photo Credits: Google Images
Heroes and Samurai
Photo Credits: Google Images
Many Kuniyoshi’s xylographies representing warriors and samurai took their inspiration from legends and war tales like The tale of the Heike (Heike monogatari) and the Rise and Fall of Genji and Heike (Genpei Seisuiki). The innovative aspect of his prints inspired to popular heroes, that distinguishes them from similar works of the time, is the stress he put on supernatural elements. This is particularly visible in his dark atmospheres, ghostly apparitions, omens and the representations of warriors with superhuman features. These fantastic elements can be found for example in the Taira Tomomori borei no zu or in the Gōjō no bashi no zu, a triptych from 1839. In the latter, the fierce battle between Yoshitsune and Benkei is effectively depicted. This narrative style met the interest of the public that in those years was oriented to the themes of horror and grotesque.
Feminine figures and Kabuki Theater
Photo Credits: Google Images
After the Tenpō reforms in 1841–1843, prints and drawings representing actors and courtesans were officially banned. This act aimed to alleviate the economic crisis by controlling public displays of luxury and wealth.
This might have had some influence on Kuniyoshi’s production of caricature prints or comic pictures, which were used to disguise actual actors and courtesans. Many of these prints symbolically and humorously criticized the shogunate.
Photo Credits: Google Images
For example, the 1843 print showing Minamoto no Yorimitsu asleep, haunted by the Earth Spider and his demons. This xylography became popular among the public that was politically dissatisfied.
In late 1840s, Kuniyoshi began to illustrate kabuki actors again, eluding censorship once again through the use of caricature prints. The production of the period includes the famous Nitakaragurakabe no mudagaki. Here, in a very creative way, he placed an elementary, childlike script written in kana under the actor face.
His love for cats is also reflected in representations of cats in human-like shape in kabuki or satirical prints. In the same decade he also experimented new compositions, enhancing visual elements to maximize the dramatic effect.
Info e contacts
The exhibition named Kuniyoshi. The Visionary of the Floating World showcases a great variety of works. 165 color xylographies provided by the Masao Takashima collection that retrace the master’s career. Produced by MondoMostre Skira and curated by Rossella Menegazzo, the itinerary is divided in 5 thematic sections. “Beauty”, “Landscapes”, “Heroes and Warriors”, with a special sub-section dedicated “Suikoden Heroes” (Brigands), “Animals and parodies”, and obviously a section dedicated to “Cats”.
A very interesting exhibition that represents a slice of the Japanese universe, that can be visited until January 28.
BOOKINGS GUIDED VISIT GROUPS AND SCHOOLS:
info@adartem.it; www.adartem.it
PRESS OFFICE:
MondoMostre Skira
Lucia Crespi | tel. + 39 02 89415532 | lucia@luciacrespi.it
Federica Mariani | tel. +39 366 6493235 | federicamariani@mondomostre.it | www.mondomostre.it
Barbara Notaro Dietrich | tel. +39 348 7946585 | b.notarodietrich@gmail.com
INFOLINE AND PRE-SALE:
tel. 0299901905 – www.vivaticket.it
BIGLIETTI (audioguida inclusa)
TICKETS (audioguide included)
Full price: € 13,00
Concessions: € 11,00
Visitors form 6 to 26 years old, disabled, groups (min 15 max 25 people – from monday to friday), teachers, soldiers, Skira card holders;
Special concessions: € 8,00
Journalists not accredited by the exhibiiton’s press office
Special concessions: € 6,00
School groups – from tuesday to sunday (min 15 max 25 people, tolerated up to 29), schools of each order and degree;
Free: € 0,00
less then 6 years old, certificated tourist guides, an accompanying person for each group, two accompanying persons for each school group, an accompanying person for disabled person who needs of support, journalist accredited by the exhibitionìs press office;
[:ja]
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Photo Credits: Google Images
Connections between Italy and Japan are steadily increasing, and a recent proof of this bond is an exhibition dedicated to the ukiyo-e master Utagawa Kuniyoshi, on display at the Museo della Permanente in Milan.
Utagawa Kuniyoshi was born on January the 1º, 1798, with the name of Yoshisaburō. Later, in 1814, he took the name we all know. Utagawa derives from the name of his master, Utagawa Toyokuni. Instead Kuniyoshi derives from the second half of his master’s surname and the first half of his own name. From an early age he had developed a great ability in drawing, attracting the attention of the famous ukiyo-e master Utagawa Toyokuni.
Kuniyoshi is considered as one of the last great masters of the Japanese Ukiyo-e style prints (a kind of Japanese print on paper made with wooden matrices, that flourished in the Edo period). Always attentive to details, especially for dresses that were represented with great accuracy, this ability should not come as a surprise, being him the son of a silk-dyer. He loved to experiment, often playing with the use of chiaroscuro and shades, and he also tried to add depth to his works.
Kuniyoshi often produced triptychs, Yoko-e, a print in horizontal or “landscape”, but also single sheet prints. Some of his most famous works are Miyamoto Musashi and the Whale, Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre, The brave woman of the Omi Province, An unfortunate day.
Photo Credits: Google Images
Photo Credits: Google Images
THEMES
Photo Credits: Google Images
Many where the themes represented by Kuniyoshi. The most famous and recurring ones were Cats, Toko, Caricatures, but also Heroes and Samurai. Kuniyoshi greatly loved cats and he produced many prints representing these felines. He often added them to other works, for example in prints with people as decoration to their dresses.
Photo Credits: Google Images
Photo Credits: Google Images
Photo Credits: Google Images
Heroes and Samurai
Photo Credits: Google Images
Many Kuniyoshi’s xylographies representing warriors and samurai took their inspiration from legends and war tales like The tale of the Heike (Heike monogatari) and the Rise and Fall of Genji and Heike (Genpei Seisuiki). The innovative aspect of his prints inspired to popular heroes, that distinguishes them from similar works of the time, is the stress he put on supernatural elements. This is particularly visible in his dark atmospheres, ghostly apparitions, omens and the representations of warriors with superhuman features. These fantastic elements can be found for example in the Taira Tomomori borei no zu or in the Gōjō no bashi no zu, a triptych from 1839. In the latter, the fierce battle between Yoshitsune and Benkei is effectively depicted. This narrative style met the interest of the public that in those years was oriented to the themes of horror and grotesque.
Feminine figures and Kabuki Theater
Photo Credits: Google Images
After the Tenpō reforms in 1841–1843, prints and drawings representing actors and courtesans were officially banned. This act aimed to alleviate the economic crisis by controlling public displays of luxury and wealth.
This might have had some influence on Kuniyoshi’s production of caricature prints or comic pictures, which were used to disguise actual actors and courtesans. Many of these prints symbolically and humorously criticized the shogunate.
Photo Credits: Google Images
For example, the 1843 print showing Minamoto no Yorimitsu asleep, haunted by the Earth Spider and his demons. This xylography became popular among the public that was politically dissatisfied.
In late 1840s, Kuniyoshi began to illustrate kabuki actors again, eluding censorship once again through the use of caricature prints. The production of the period includes the famous Nitakaragurakabe no mudagaki. Here, in a very creative way, he placed an elementary, childlike script written in kana under the actor face.
His love for cats is also reflected in representations of cats in human-like shape in kabuki or satirical prints. In the same decade he also experimented new compositions, enhancing visual elements to maximize the dramatic effect.
Info e contacts
The exhibition named Kuniyoshi. The Visionary of the Floating World showcases a great variety of works. 165 color xylographies provided by the Masao Takashima collection that retrace the master’s career. Produced by MondoMostre Skira and curated by Rossella Menegazzo, the itinerary is divided in 5 thematic sections. “Beauty”, “Landscapes”, “Heroes and Warriors”, with a special sub-section dedicated “Suikoden Heroes” (Brigands), “Animals and parodies”, and obviously a section dedicated to “Cats”.
A very interesting exhibition that represents a slice of the Japanese universe, that can be visited until January 28.
BOOKINGS GUIDED VISIT GROUPS AND SCHOOLS:
info@adartem.it; www.adartem.it
PRESS OFFICE:
MondoMostre Skira
Lucia Crespi | tel. + 39 02 89415532 | lucia@luciacrespi.it
Federica Mariani | tel. +39 366 6493235 | federicamariani@mondomostre.it | www.mondomostre.it
Barbara Notaro Dietrich | tel. +39 348 7946585 | b.notarodietrich@gmail.com
INFOLINE AND PRE-SALE:
tel. 0299901905 – www.vivaticket.it
BIGLIETTI (audioguida inclusa)
TICKETS (audioguide included)
Full price: € 13,00
Concessions: € 11,00
Visitors form 6 to 26 years old, disabled, groups (min 15 max 25 people – from monday to friday), teachers, soldiers, Skira card holders;
Special concessions: € 8,00
Journalists not accredited by the exhibiiton’s press office
Special concessions: € 6,00
School groups – from tuesday to sunday (min 15 max 25 people, tolerated up to 29), schools of each order and degree;
Free: € 0,00
less then 6 years old, certificated tourist guides, an accompanying person for each group, two accompanying persons for each school group, an accompanying person for disabled person who needs of support, journalist accredited by the exhibitionìs press office;[:]