Glossary of Ukiyo-e Colorants
TEST
1778-1794 (19-35 yrs old) 28 prints
As Katsukawa Shunro until he leaves the Katsukawa school. Wide variety, from actor prints, book illustrations, toy prints, meisho, religious, etc.
- Hokusai, The Night Attack in Act XI of Chûshingura, 11.17612
- Hokusai, The Night Attack in Act XI of The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers, 11.17690
- Hokusai, The Night Attack in Act XI of The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers, 11.17691 1780s Eijudo
- Hokusai, Chinese Boys Pulling a Cart, 21.10201
- Hokusai, Chinese Boys Pulling a Cart, 11.15012 1787-93 Eijudo
- Hokusai, The Story of Minamoto Yoshitsune and Jôruri-hime, from the series Perspective Pictures, 11.17572 late 1780s Eijudo
- Hokusai, Perspective Picture of the Downhill Attack at the Battle of Ichinotani, RES.50.37 late 1780s Eijudo
- Hokusai, Newly Published Perspective Picture: One Hundred Ghost Stories in a Haunted House, 46.1417 about 1790 Eijudo
- Hokusai, Urashima Tarô Visits the Dragon Palace, from the series Newly Published Perspective Pictures, 11.17547 1780s Kikakudo
- Hokusai, Actors Sawamura Sôjûrô III as Soga no Jûrô and Iwai Hanshirô IV as Oniô’s Daughter Okuni, 06.1271 1789
- Hokusai, Actors Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Akaneya Hanshichi and Yamashita Mangiku as Sankatsu, 54.229 1789
- Hokusai, Actor Ichikawa Omezô I as the Shamaness, 21.10216 1789 Koshodo
- Hokusai, Actor Sakata Hangorô III as a Traveling Priest, actually Chinzei Hachirô Tametomo, 21.10199
- Hokusai, Actor Sakata Hangorô III as a Traveling Priest, actually Chinzei Hachirô Tametomo, 11.19925 1791 Koshodo
- Hokusai, Actor Matsumoto Kôshirô IV as Banzui Chôbei, 21.10200 1791 Koshodo
- Hokusai, Actor Sakata Hangorô III as Akazawa Jûnai, 21.10198 1792
- Hokusai, Actor Ichikawa Ebizô as Kagekiyo, 06.1061 1792
- Hokusai, Actor Segawa Kikunojô III as Sadaka, 06.801 1792
- Hokusai, The Third Month: Contest of Floral Beauty, from an untitled series of Niwaka festival dances representing the Twelve Months, 11.20049
- Hokusai, The Fifth Month: The Sparrow Dance, from an untitled series of Niwaka festival dances representing the Twelve Months, 11.20767
- Hokusai, The Sixth Month: Washing the Portable Shrine, from an untitled series of Niwaka festival dances representing the Twelve Months, 11.19931
- Hokusai, Lion Dance, from an untitled series of Niwaka festival dances representing the Twelve Months, 11.19934
- Hokusai, The Seventh Month: The Bon Festival Dance, from an untitled series of Niwaka festival dances representing the Twelve Months, 21.10196
- Hokusai, The Seventh Month: The Bon Festival Dance, from an untitled series of Niwaka festival dances representing the Twelve Months, 11.19932
- Hokusai, The Ninth Month: The Dance of the Chrysanthemum Boy, Performed on a Stage, from an untitled series of Niwaka festival dances representing the Twelve Months, 21.10197
- Hokusai, The Ninth Month: The Dance of the Chrysanthemum Boy, Performed on a Stage, from an untitled series of Niwaka festival dances representing the Twelve Months, 11.19935 1793 Koshodo
- Hokusai,
1794-1804 (35-45 yrs old) 26 prints
As Sori produces lots of surimonos and illustrations for poetry books. In 1798, he changes to Hokusai Tokimasa which denotes his independence from any school style. But overall until 1804 his style is considered Sori style (Rinpa).
Sôri ga 宗理画
Hokusai Sôri ga 北斎宗理画
- Hokusai, Ferry Boat, 11.19657 1798
- Hokusai, Crossing a Bridge, from the album Men's Stamping Dance, 06.809 1798
Sôri aratame Hokusai ga 宗理改北斎画
- Hokusai, An no Heibei with a Courtesan, from an untitled series of the Five Manly Men, 11.16854
- Hokusai, Hotei Ichiemon with a Courtesan, from an untitled series of the Five Manly Men, 11.16870
- Hokusai, Kaminari Shôkurô with a Courtesan, from an untitled series of the Five Manly Men, 11.19684 1798–9
- Hokusai, Court Lady with New Year Decorations, from the series Comparison of Beauties for the Year of the Goat, 11.25199 1799
Sôri aratame Hokusai Shin (Tatsu) ga 宗理改北斎辰画
- Hokusai, Flower Ball and Bamboo Blind, 21.7872 about 1798–9
Hokusai Tatsu ga 北斎辰画
Gakyôjin Hokusai ga 画狂人北斎画
- Hokusai, Woman, Child, and Man with Kite, from the series A Collection of Dances, 11.16764
- Hokusai, Woman Buying Songbirds, from the series A Collection of Dances, 11.16773
- Hokusai, Women with Theatrical Costumes, from the series A Collection of Dances, 11.19683 1790s–1800s
- Hokusai, Woman Looking at Kite with Picture of Bell (Parody of Musume Dôjô-ji), from the series A Collection of Dances, 11.16824 1790s–1800s
- Hokusai, Women and Children Returning from an Inari Shrine Festival, 11.19636 about 1800–10
- Hokusai, Two Women with a Koto, from the series Five Great Powers, 11.30481 1803
- Hokusai, Tea Ceremony, from the series Thirty-six Assorted Arts, 53.2718 1803
- Hokusai, Kanaya, from an untitled series of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tôkaidô Road, 11.16890 1804
- Hokusai, Exhibition of Flower Arrangements in a Room Overlooking the Sumida River, 11.19658 about 1800–05
Kakô ga 可候画
- Hokusai, Evening Bell for Oume and Kumenosuke, from the untitled series known as Eight Views of Tragic Lovers, 21.10194 1798
- Hokusai, Lingering Snow for Azuma and Yohei, from the untitled series known as Eight Views of Tragic Lovers, 21.10195 1798
- Hokusai, Man, Woman, and Child Preparing a Votive Banner at New Year, 53.2673 1804 unsigned
- Hokusai, Twilight at Sensô-ji Temple, Asakusa, from the book Ehon Sumidagawa ryôgan ichiran, 21.9230 1804 part of book
Hokusai egaku ほくさゐゑかく
- Hokusai, Ushigafuchi at Kudan, from an untitled series of landscapes in Western style, 21.6674
- Hokusai, Mount Fuji under High Bridge, from an untitled series of landscapes in Western style, 21.6675
- Hokusai, View of Noboto Beach at Low Tide from the Salt Beds at Gyôtoku, from an untitled series of landscapes in Western style, 21.6676
- Hokusai, Express Delivery Boats Rowing through Waves, from an untitled series of landscapes in Western style, 21.6678 1800–05
- Hokusai,
1804-1811 (45-52 years old)
Mainly works on book illustrations and paintings. Uses Katsushika Hokusai as well as Taito.
- Hokusai, View of the Inari Shrine at Ôji and Asuka Hill, from the series Newly published Perspective Pictures, 21.10204 about 1811 Kinjudo
- Hokusai, Patterns for Collage Pictures (Oshi-e): Kakinomoto Hitomaro and Kikujidô, 11.20198 about 1808–13 Eijudo
- Hokusai, Dance of the Gods at the Heavenly Cave part 1, 11.20434
- Hokusai, Dance of the Gods at the Heavenly Cave part 2, 11.20433 about 1808–13 Bunjudo
- Hokusai, Ôtomo no Kuronushi, from an untitled series of Six Poetic Immortals formed by the characters for their names, 11.17496
- Hokusai, Ôtomo no Kuronushi, from an untitled series of Six Poetic Immortals formed by the characters for their names, 21.10218
- Hokusai, Kisen Hôshi, from an untitled series of Six Poetic Immortals formed by the characters for their names, 11.17543
- Hokusai, Bun'ya no Yasuhide, from an untitled series of the Six Poetic Immortals formed by the characters for their names, 21.10217
- Hokusai, Bun'ya no Yasuhide, from an untitled series of the Six Poetic Immortals formed by the characters for their names, 11.17501
- Hokusai, Sôjô Henjô, from an untitled series of Six Poetic Immortals formed by the characters for their names, 11.17497
- Hokusai, Ariwara Narihira, from an untitled series of the Six Poetic Immortals formed by the characters for their names, 11.17502 about 1810 Tenjudo
- Hokusai, Exhibition of Flower Arrangements in a Room Overlooking the Sumida River, 11.19658 about 1800–05
- Hokusai, Duck, Abalone Shell, and Parsley, 11.16798
- Hokusai, Act VI, from the series The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers, a Primer, 11.17586
- Hokusai, Act V, from the series The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers, a Primer, 11.17588
- Hokusai, Act VII, from the series The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers, a Primer, 11.17604
- Hokusai, Act IX, from the series The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers, a Primer, 11.17643
- Hokusai, Act I, from the series The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers, a Primer, 11.17539
- Hokusai, Act XI, from the series The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers, a Primer, 11.17499
- Hokusai, Act X, from the series The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers, a Primer, 11.17583
- Hokusai, Descending Geese at Asuka, from the series Eight Views of Edo, 06.795
- Hokusai, Evening Bell at Mii-dera Temple, from the series Eight Views of Ômi, a New Edition , 06.796
- Hokusai, Sunset Glow at Seta, from the series Eight Views of Ômi, a New Edition, 06.797
- Hokusai, The Akuta River Episode (Akutagawa) from Tales of Ise, 11.20429
- Hokusai, Carp and Iris, 11.20430
- Hokusai, Chiryû, from an untitled series of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tôkaidô Road, 34.303
- Hokusai, The Kaminarimon Gate at Sensô-ji Temple in Asakusa, 11.19640
- Hokusai,
1812-1829 (53-60 yrs old)
Starts producing illustration books for artists/students. Uses Iitsu from 1818-1830 when he produces a lot of surimonos.
- Hokusai, Hair Ornaments, 11.20418
- Hokusai, The Plum-blossom Shell (Ume no hana kai), from the series The Poetry-Shell Matching Game of the Genroku Era, 21.9225
- Hokusai, Komagata-dô Temple (R) and Onmaya Embankment (L), from the series A Set of Horses, 21.10240-1
- Hokusai, Komagata-dô Temple (R), Onmaya Embankment (C), and the Hitching Stone (L), from the series A Set of Horses, 54.259-61
- Hokusai, Stone, from the series Three Pictures for a Children's Hand Game, 11.20413
- Hokusai, Actors Ichikawa Danjûrô VII as Asahina and Ichikawa Monnosuke III as Tsukisayo, 11.20417
- Hokusai, Daikoku Lifting Rice Bales, with Chickens, 00.1948
- Hokusai, Ki no Natora and Ôtomo no Yoshio Wrestling, 00.1949
- Hokusai, View of Koshigoe from Shichiri-ga-hama, 21.9224
- Hokusai, View of Koshigoe from Shichiri-ga-hama, 34.327
- Hokusai,
1830-1833 (71-74 yrs old)
Produces his well known prints such as landscape, bird and flower prints, etc.
- Hokusai, Ushibori in Hitachi Province, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.5386
- Hokusai, Ushibori in Hitachi Province, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.5363
- Hokusai, Ushibori in Hitachi Province, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.5385
- Hokusai, Kajikazawa in Kai Province, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.6775
- Hokusai, Kajikazawa in Kai Province, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.6773
- Hokusai, Kajikazawa in Kai Province, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.6774
- Hokusai, Under the Wave off Kanagawa, also known as the Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 06.1153
- Hokusai, Under the Wave off Kanagawa, also known as the Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 06.1283
- Hokusai, Under the Wave off Kanagawa, also known as the Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 06.2548
- Hokusai, Under the Wave off Kanagawa, also known as the Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 11.17652
- Hokusai, Under the Wave off Kanagawa, also known as the Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.6765
- Hokusai, Under the Wave off Kanagawa, also known as the Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 34.317
- Hokusai, Fine Wind, Clear Weather, also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.6754
- Hokusai, Fine Wind, Clear Weather, also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.6755
- Hokusai, Fine Wind, Clear Weather, also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 34.314
- Hokusai, Fine Wind, Clear Weather, also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 53.495
- Hokusai, Fine Wind, Clear Weather, also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 11.17504
- Hokusai, Fine Wind, Clear Weather, also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.6756
- Hokusai, Whaling off the Gotô Islands, from the series One Thousand Pictures of the Ocean, 1989.668
- Hokusai, Finest Confectionary: Descending Geese at the Sumida River, from the series Eight Views of Edo on paper snack bags, 21.10234
- Hokusai,
1834-1849 (75-90yrs old): Concentrates on paintings. Uses the Manji
Unknown
- Hokusai, Procession of a Daimyô Passing Shinagawa on the Way to Kyoto, from the series Newly Published Perspective Pictures, 21.10203
- Hokusai, Fan Kuai and the Banquet at Hongmen, from the series Newly published Perspective Pictures, 11.14710
- Hokusai, New Year in the Yoshiwara, 21.9223
- Hokusai, Ferry Boat Passing Bridge Pillar, 11.20445
- Hokusai, Nobleman and Attendants Watching the Sunrise, 21.7871
- Hokusai, Eggs and Taro Roots, 11.16760
- Hokusai, Box and Tray of Paper, with Gift Decorations, 11.16766
- Hokusai, Ladies Trading With a Peddler of Cosmetics and Accessories, 11.19659
- Hokusai, Woman Cleaning Fish as Another Woman Reads a Book, 53.2717
- Hokusai, Fish, Flowers, and Telescope, 11.20408
- Hokusai, The Kyôgen Play Utsubo Zaru, 11.19635
- Hokusai, Courtesan, Guest, and Pet Monkey, 21.9222
- Hokusai, The Jewel River of Bush-clover (Hagi), at Noji in Ômi Province, from the series Fashionable Six Jewel Rivers, 11.20453
- Hokusai, Agemaki, Sukeroku, and the Sake Vendor at New Year, 53.2674
- Hokusai, Susaki, from the series Three Shrines of the Goddess Benten, 11.20451
- Hokusai, Ôkuninushi no Mikoto, the White Hare of Inaba, and the Crocodiles, 21.9245
- Hokusai, Toys: Bird Whistle, Rattle, Boy Doll with Hobbyhorse, 11.20411
- Hokusai, Female Poet, from the series Five Poetic Immortals, 11.20419
- Hokusai,
Glossary of Colorants
The purpose of the ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock) colorant database is to document the types of colorants that were used in the printing process. In order to do this, we started the research by making reference samples of the known Ukiyo-e colorants by traditional Japanese woodblock printing techniques. This database currently focuses on prints from the MFA’s collection especially from 1710-1850. We hope to continue adding to the database but at this moment covers only the colorants found in the above mentioned time frame so does not yet cover the whole breadth of colorants, especially the synthetic one that were added in the second half of the nineteenth century.
Red
The primary organic red colorants used in the prints are: -Safflower -Madder -Sappanwood
Red references shown in visible and ultraviolet light
Overlay of emission-excitation curves for red references
Emission-excitation 3D plots for red references
Overlay of FORS spectra for red references
Yellow
Orpiment, turmeric and flavonoid yellows (such as pagoda tree, rice plant) are the most commonly used yellow colorants that were easily detected. Gamboge is also likely to have been used but none of the MFA analysis techniques could detect gamboge. Additionally there is literature that points to the potential use of other organic yellows, such as yellowwood, but this has not been found in any of the prints so far.
Of the primary yellows, orpiment (arsenic sulfide) was detected by the X-ray fluorescence analysis. Turmeric and yellowwood both fluoresce very brightly in ultraviolet light and, luckily, give very distinctive EEM spectra (shown below). Some of the other organic yellows, like pagoda tree and rice plant, but fluoresce weakly in ultraviolet light. Chemically, these two compounds are both flavonoids and and only have slight differences in their EEM plots. Thus, the decision was made to call them by their chemical name, Flavonoid, to minimize mistakes in identification.
3D EEM plots for yellow references
Blue
Until the introduction of Prussian blue, indigo and dayflower were the only blues used. These blues can easily be identified using FORS. -Indigo -Dayflower -Prussian blue
FORS spectrum of Indigo reference
FORS spectrum of Dayflower reference
FORS spectrum of Prussian blue reference
Green
Green is created as a mixture or overprinting of a blue and yellow. -Indigo/orpiment -Other combinations (List maybe just the common ones and other could be Others)
Purple
Purple is created as a mixture or overprinting of a blue and red/pink. -Safflower/dayflower -Madder/dayflower -Other combinations
safflower/dayflower mixture
EEM of purple
FORS of purple
Purple kimono (MFA 06.7956) with both safflower and dayflower
EEM
FORS
Brown
-hematite -red lead -mixtures --faded purple
Faded purple (brown) kimono (MFA 11.17586) with both safflower and dayflower
EEM
FORS
White
White is often used in a mixture rather than on its own, allowing for the paper to be the “white” -calcium carbonate -white lead
Black/Gray
Carbon black, sumi, or soot from oil lamps or pine soot mixed with animal glue is used to print the key block as well as any other black area. It can range from a deep black to a blue grey color (pine soot).
Mica
description
Metallic
Description