Transportation in Japanese Art
"Art is the allusion of spontaneity"
Japanese Proverb
Japanese Proverb
The history of transportation in Japan is just as complex as anywhere else in the world. An Island, Japan utilized boats and trade by sea. During the 1800s forms of transportation included, rickshaws, bicycles, carriages, and boats. The first railway line commenced in 1872 nad soon trains became an important part of transportation in Japan.
"Unidentified"
by: Utagawa Hiroshige
1855
Location: De Young / Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museum of San Fancisco
by: Utagawa Hiroshige
1855
Location: De Young / Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museum of San Fancisco
The "Unidentified'' harbor scene is a wonderful window into the every day life of the Japanese in the 1800s. Ships are depicted coming into the harbor. Different sizes, fishing boats, trade ships all coming back after long journeys. Regularity is a word I think of when surveying this painting. A quietness seems to settle on this scene, it feels as if this is what every day life is like.
"Harbor Scene"
by: Hiroshige III
1890
woodcut
by: Hiroshige III
1890
woodcut
In this scene the artist portrays everyday life in Japan. Ships bringing in goods fill the harbor. The calm blue waters are crystal blue. Some women sit in a rowboat in the front of the painting, although the highlight is certainly on the ship that fills most of the middle ground on the left side of the painting.
"Atarashii norimono" (New Forms of Transportation)
by: Utagwa Kuniteru
1871
woodcut
Location: Library of Congress
by: Utagwa Kuniteru
1871
woodcut
Location: Library of Congress
In this woodcut almost all forms of transportation are depicted. In the background a ship dominates the harbor. In the middle ground men pull carriages with people or goods in them. And in the foreground a horse drawn carriage transports a group of people and below them men push and pull carts with goods. The atmosphere is filled with this buzz of energy and movement. As new forms of transportation are being discovered and utilized.
"Tōkyō ōral kuruma zukushi" (Vehicular Traffic in Tokyo)
by: Utagawa, Yoshitora
1870
woodcut
Location: Library of Congress
by: Utagawa, Yoshitora
1870
woodcut
Location: Library of Congress
Once again we see this idea of movement, activity, and the bustle of a busy city. Hose drawn carriages make of the majority of this painting. Although in the background we see a small ship. We see that that the painting has no real concept of scientific perspective, it doesn't recede into the background, it hold little dimension. The bright colors and movement of the horses and animals show the excitement of new forms of transportation as the world begins to grow and industrialize.
Scenes from the Tale of Genji: "The Royal Outing"
by: Tosa Mitsuyoshi and Tosa Mitsuoki
Momoyama Period(1573-1650 17th century)
Ink, color, and gold on gilded paper
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art
by: Tosa Mitsuyoshi and Tosa Mitsuoki
Momoyama Period(1573-1650 17th century)
Ink, color, and gold on gilded paper
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art
In this gorgeous panel almost all forms of transportation for this time period are represented. Figures on horseback and on foot zig zag down a path lined with green. at the bottom rest a boat carrying passengers. Although it was long ago we still se this idea of transportation and the growing need for new innovative ways to transport people