Japanese Woodblock Prints

For the past 40 years, TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible publishing, assisting book enthusiasts around the world in curating their own library of art, anthropology, and other captivating subjects. Since we commenced our work as cultural archaeologists in 1980, we have stayed true to our company credo, and in 2020 we celebrated this remarkable milestone.

The 40th Edition presents new, more compact versions of some of the standout titles in our program, still produced with the same unwavering commitment to impeccable quality.

The Japanese woodblock print showcased a breathtaking array of landscapes, as well as ghosts and demons that both enticed and tormented the living, transforming sumo wrestlers and kabuki actors into veritable rock stars. This condensed edition unveils the most exceptional prints created between 1680 and 1938, drawing from the finest impressions held in museums and private collections worldwide.

We delve into the horrifying and the obscure in these prints, where demons, ghosts, man-eaters, and otherworldly creatures torment the living - stunning images that continue to influence Japanese manga, film, and video games to this day. These works are united by the technical mastery and infallible eye of their creators, who, with tremendous ingenuity and tongue-in-cheek wit, fought to circumvent government censorship.

From Edouard Manet's portrait of naturalist writer Émile Zola amid his Japanese art finds to Van Gogh's meticulous copies of the Hiroshige prints he devotedly collected, 19th-century pioneers of European modernism made no secret of their love of Japanese art. The woodblock print, with its sensuality, freedom, and effervescence, is credited with the wave of japonaiserie that first captivated France and later all of Europe - yet it is often misunderstood as merely an "exotic" artifact that helped inspire Western creativity.

In this 40th-anniversary edition, we present a visual history of these Japanese masterpieces, showcasing their enduring influence and the technical prowess of their creators. Through this collection, we aim to deepen the understanding and appreciation of these remarkable works, which continue to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.

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