Japanese Colour Prints

by Jack Ronald Hillier

This series acts as an introduction to key artists and movements in art history. Each title contains 48 full-page colour plates, accompanied by extensive notes, and numerous comparative illustrations in colour or black and white, a concise introduction, select bibliography and detailed source information for the images. Monographs on individual artists also feature a brief chronology.

Genres: Art, Japan, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Frequently published as J.R. Hillier

Reviews

[Shawn Dewar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text is meh. The art is lovely.

[Sophie (RedheadReading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found the intro a little dense and not sure I agree with the basic concept of the introduction of non-plant based dyes as an "evil", but really enjoyed the variety of prints - excited to explore some artists further!

[Tayfun Sen · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good history and background on ukiyo-e, as well as some of the best examples on pages

[Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains approximately 50 full-page, color prints. A significant majority of the images are images of figures, such as full-length portraits of actors. Often, the focus is on the clothing of the figures, which depicts very elaborate patterns. To counteract the complexity of the clothing, the background is generally very simple.
There are only four full-page landscape prints.
The majority of the prints are from the 18th century.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a bit of a disappointment. The opening essay offered a decent overview of the history of ukiyo-e, but those readers without a background in art history (and ideally some knowledge of Japanese art) are likely to find it confusing and unhelpful.

While most of the most notable artists are present and accounted for, the example prints selected were lacking in several instances. Harunobu, Utamaro, Hokusai, and Hiroshige were all incredibly influential artists, yet the prints chosen for them are far from their best work.

The commentary accompanying the prints is also spotty. Rather than providing some much-needed cultural context for Kabuki scenes, allusions, etc., featured in the print, Hillier tends to go off on extraneous tangents about that artists' pupils.

I also felt Hillier's decision to exclude late period prints (after the introduction of foreign aniline dyes) was pure snobbery. He argues that "...few of the later prints rise above either ineffectual prettiness, or violently colored melodrama," but Yoshitoshi was one of the giants of the art form, and dismissing his work is unforgivable.

In the end, this book offers a decent, unspectacular survey of the ukiyo-e art form, with commentary that goes into a little too much detail in arcane areas. Who is the audience for this book? Pairing introductory artwork with beginner-unfriendly text seems like a strange editorial decision. The artwork is nice, but I'd recommend those interested in ukiyo-e either look elsewhere, or supplement their reading with additional books.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prints in here are gorgeous! And some of the kimonos depicted are beautiful (the green one with the fans is a favourite). The variety of artists here is great as well! Just lovely.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork in this book is absolutely amazing.

[Ralph Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

[Maureen Hetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick historical summary of the evolution of ukioye-e wood block prints. Excellent color plates. Short and sweet!

[Sebastian Stevenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent bits of info on a variety of artists. Very lightweight.