Ukiyo-e Print Colorant Database

Since 2002, the MFA’s Asian Conservation Studio and Scientific Research department has been conducting research into the colorants used in Japanese woodblock prints, or ukiyo-e prints from the Edo period (1603-1868). Non-invasive techniques that do not require sampling from the prints have been used: X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Excitation Emission Matrix (EEM) and Fiber Optic Reflectance (FORS) spectroscopies. The results were cross referenced with samples that were formulated and printed using organic and inorganic materials traditionally believed to have been used during the Edo period. Thus far, over 800 prints have been analyzed.

This Ukiyo-e Print Colorant Database is an effort to begin collating the analytical results of colorants used in Japanese woodblock prints into one location that is accessible to all researchers. It currently focuses on prints from the MFA’s collection from 17XX-18XX. It does not yet cover the whole breadth of colorants used, such as the aniline based colorants, but we hope to continue to expand the database.

Colorants

A list of colorants detected so far in this research. Click to see examples of the printed colors, spectra, and a list of analyzed prints.

---

Blue Dayflower Indigo Prussian blue Yellow Turmeric Orpiment Gamboge Iron oxide yellow Flavonoids Red Safflower Madder Sappanwood Red lead Vermilion

Brown Iron oxide red Others Green Dayflower + Turmeric Indigo + Orpiment Others Purple Dayflower + Safflower Others Black Carbon black White Calcium carbonate Lead white

Mica Mica Metallic Brass Copper Tin

By Artist

---

H Harunobu, Suzuki K Kiyotada I, Torii Kiyomitsu I, Torii Kiyonaga, Torii U Utamaro I, Kitagawa

Bibliography

A list of publications on the identification of colorants in Japanese woodblock prints (currently only MFA publications).

About the Collection

The MFA has over 50,000 Japanese prints and XXX printed books covering the Edo period (1603-1868) to the present. The Japanese woodblock print collection spans the Edo period from its birth to color printing to its height as a commercial product and to its end in the Meiji period (1868-1912). It also covers a wide breadth of artists working at the time as well as multiple impressions and editions making it also a strong study collection. Collections from prominent Bostonians such as William Sturgis Bigelow, Denman Ross, and the Spaulding brothers form the basis of the collection.

Acknowledgement

The colorant research comes out of a long collaboration between the Asian Conservation Studio and Scientific Research department. We would like to thank the many volunteers who contributed to this research. We are also grateful to Richard and JoAnn Pinkowitz for donating to this database project which allowed us to bring the ukiyo-e colorant database online.