Hokuei: Master of Osaka Kabuki Prints
John Fiorillo
Hokuei: Masterpieces of Japanese Actor Prints profiles one of the most intriguing artists ever in kabuki-actor design: Shunbaisai Hokuei (active 1828–1836). A culminating figure in Osaka printmaking, Hokuei produced more masterworks than any other artist of his day. The prints, all shown in color, are largely drawn from the most extensive collection of Hokuei’s works to be found anywhere. The book presents two chapters on the artist’s life and work, situating his oeuvre within the demimonde of pleasure and entertainment known as the Floating World (Ukiyo). An early chapter discusses the production of Japanese prints and leads into a central section highlighting fifty-six meticulously researched masterworks in remarkable condition. The world of kabuki comes alive in fascinating detail, while assessments of design and technical attributes bring into focus the achievements of Hokuei and printmaking artisans of his age. Of particular importance for scholars and collectors, there is a fully illustrated and annotated catalogue raisonné of 270 prints—the artist’s entire known print oeuvre—including designs not to be found anywhere else. As an added bonus, all Japanese inscriptions are translated into English. Well-illustrated appendices cover essential tabulations of Hokuei’s prints and their formats, his students, his artist signatures and seals, publishers, carvers, printers, theaters, a glossary, an index, and a bibliography. All-told, the range of comprehensive information featured in this publication make it a singular reference not only for admirers of Hokuei, but also for those interested in the world of actors on stage.
John Fiorillo is an independent researcher and writer on traditional and modern Japanese prints, with a particular interest in Kamigata-e (“Osaka prints”) and Sōsaku Hanga (“Creative prints”). Over time, he came to especially love and admire the actor prints produced in Osaka, a genre often overlooked by collectors and scholars. Mr. Fiorillo has regularly published in the art journal Andon (Society for Japanese Art, Leiden), contributed to the Hotei Encyclopedia of Japanese Woodblock Prints (2005), and designed and written extensive articles for the websites “ViewingJapanesePrints.net" (since 1999) and “OsakaPrints.com" (since 2005). Mr. Fiorillo also serves as a member of the Andon editorial board.
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