Hanga

Edo Period

江戸時代

1603–1868

About the Edo Period

The Edo period saw the rise of ukiyo-e, the iconic woodblock print tradition depicting the floating world of pleasure districts, kabuki actors, beautiful women, and landscapes. Under the Tokugawa shogunate's peaceful rule, a thriving urban culture in Edo (modern Tokyo) fueled demand for affordable printed art. Masters like Hokusai and Hiroshige transformed the medium from commercial illustration into a respected art form, producing series that would later inspire Western Impressionists and Art Nouveau.

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Movements (2)

Artistic movements active during the Edo Period

Traditional Mokuhanga

c. 1600–present

Meiji/Taishō Prints

明治大正版画

c. 1868–1926

Artists (164)

Artists active during the Edo Period

Iwasa Matabei, Japanese print artist

Iwasa Matabei

岩佐又兵衛

1578–1650

Tosa Mitsuoki, Japanese print artist

Tosa Mitsuoki

土佐光起

1617–1691

Hishikawa Moronobu, Japanese print artist

Hishikawa Moronobu

菱川師宣

1618–1694

Hanabusa Itchō, Japanese print artist

Hanabusa Itchō

英一蝶

1652–1724

Ogata Kōrin, Japanese print artist

Ogata Kōrin

尾形光琳

1658–1716

Torii Kiyonobu I, Japanese print artist

Torii Kiyonobu I

鳥居清信

1664–1729

Kaigetsudō Ando, Japanese print artist

Kaigetsudō Ando

懐月堂安度

1671–1743

Nishikawa Sukenobu, Japanese print artist

Nishikawa Sukenobu

西川祐信

1671–1750

Tachibana Morikuni, Japanese print artist

Tachibana Morikuni

橘守国

1679–1748

Hanekawa Chinchō, Japanese print artist

Hanekawa Chinchō

羽川珍重

1679–1754

Ōoka Shunboku, Japanese print artist

Ōoka Shunboku

大岡春卜

1680–1763

Miyagawa Chōshun, Japanese print artist

Miyagawa Chōshun

宮川長春

1683–1753

Okumura Masanobu, Japanese print artist

Okumura Masanobu

奥村政信

1686–1764

Nishimura Shigenaga, Japanese print artist

Nishimura Shigenaga

西村重長

1697–1756

T

Torii Kiyomasu II

二代鳥居清倍

1706–1763

Tsukioka Settei, Japanese print artist

Tsukioka Settei

月岡雪鼎

1710–1786

Ishikawa Toyonobu, Japanese print artist

Ishikawa Toyonobu

石川豊信

1711–1785

Itō Jakuchū, Japanese print artist

Itō Jakuchū

伊藤若冲

1716–1800

Tachibana Yasukuni, Japanese print artist

Tachibana Yasukuni

橘保国

1717–1792

Komatsuya Hyakki, Japanese print artist

Komatsuya Hyakki

小松屋百亀

1720–1794

Suzuki Harunobu, Japanese print artist

Suzuki Harunobu

鈴木春信

1725–1770

Katsukawa Shunshō, Japanese print artist

Katsukawa Shunshō

勝川春章

1726–1793

Maruyama Ōkyo, Japanese print artist

Maruyama Ōkyo

円山応挙

1733–1795

Sō Shizan, Japanese print artist

Sō Shizan

宋紫山

1733–1805

Isoda Koryūsai, Japanese print artist

Isoda Koryūsai

礒田湖龍斎

1735–1790

Torii Kiyomitsu, Japanese print artist

Torii Kiyomitsu

鳥居清満

1735–1785

Utagawa Toyoharu, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Toyoharu

歌川豊春

1735–1814

Kitao Shigemasa, Japanese print artist

Kitao Shigemasa

北尾重政

1739–1820

Katsukawa Shunkō, Japanese print artist

Katsukawa Shunkō

勝川春好

1743–1812

Okada Beisanjin, Japanese print artist

Okada Beisanjin

岡田米山人

1744–1820

Suzuki Harushige (Shiba Kōkan), Japanese print artist

Suzuki Harushige (Shiba Kōkan)

鈴木春重

1747–1818

Mori Sosen, Japanese print artist

Mori Sosen

森狙仙

1747–1821

Noro Kaiseki, Japanese print artist

Noro Kaiseki

野呂介石

1747–1828

Matsumura Goshun, Japanese print artist

Matsumura Goshun

松村呉春

1752–1811

Kameda Bōsai, Japanese print artist

Kameda Bōsai

亀田鵬斎

1752–1826

Torii Kiyonaga, Japanese print artist

Torii Kiyonaga

鳥居清長

1752–1815

Kitagawa Utamaro, Japanese print artist

Kitagawa Utamaro

喜多川歌麿

1753–1806

Chōbunsai Eishi, Japanese print artist

Chōbunsai Eishi

鳥文斎栄之

1756–1829

Kubo Shunman, Japanese print artist

Kubo Shunman

窪俊満

1757–1820

Yamaguchi Soken, Japanese print artist

Yamaguchi Soken

山口素絢

1759–1818

Katsushika Hokusai, Japanese print artist

Katsushika Hokusai

葛飾北斎

1760–1849

Sakai Hōitsu, Japanese print artist

Sakai Hōitsu

酒井抱一

1761–1828

Kitao Masanobu, Japanese print artist

Kitao Masanobu

北尾政演

1761–1816

Katsukawa Shunsen, Japanese print artist

Katsukawa Shunsen

勝川春扇

1762–1830

Katsukawa Shun'ei, Japanese print artist

Katsukawa Shun'ei

勝川春英

1762–1819

Tani Bunchō, Japanese print artist

Tani Bunchō

谷文晁

1763–1841

Utagawa Toyohiro, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Toyohiro

歌川豊広

1763–1828

Kitao Masayoshi, Japanese print artist

Kitao Masayoshi

北尾政美

1764–1824

Nagayama Kōin, Japanese print artist

Nagayama Kōin

長山孔寅

1765–1849

Aoki Mokubei, Japanese print artist

Aoki Mokubei

青木木米

1767–1833

Utagawa Toyokuni I, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Toyokuni I

歌川豊国

1769–1825

Katsukawa Shuntei, Japanese print artist

Katsukawa Shuntei

勝川春亭

1770–1820

Teisai Hokuba, Japanese print artist

Teisai Hokuba

蹄斎北馬

1771–1844

Utagawa Kunimasa, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Kunimasa

歌川国政

1773–1810

Utagawa Toyokuni II, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Toyokuni II

二代目歌川豊国

1777–1835

Matsumura Keibun, Japanese print artist

Matsumura Keibun

松村景文

1779–1843

Kawamura Bunpō, Japanese print artist

Kawamura Bunpō

河村文鳳

1779–1821

Rai San'yō, Japanese print artist

Rai San'yō

頼山陽

1780–1832

Totoya Hokkei, Japanese print artist

Totoya Hokkei

魚屋北渓

1780–1850

Okada Hankō, Japanese print artist

Okada Hankō

岡田半江

1782–1846

Yamamoto Baiitsu, Japanese print artist

Yamamoto Baiitsu

山本梅逸

1783–1856

Yashima Gakutei, Japanese print artist

Yashima Gakutei

八島岳亭

1786–1868

Utagawa Kunisada, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Kunisada

歌川国貞

1786–1865

Kikukawa Eizan, Japanese print artist

Kikukawa Eizan

菊川英山

1787–1867

Torii Kiyomine, Japanese print artist

Torii Kiyomine

鳥居清峰

1787–1868

Yanagawa Shigenobu, Japanese print artist

Yanagawa Shigenobu

柳川重信

1787–1832

Kikuchi Yōsai, Japanese print artist

Kikuchi Yōsai

菊池容斎

1788–1878

Keisai Eisen, Japanese print artist

Keisai Eisen

渓斎英泉

1790–1848

Yokoyama Seiki, Japanese print artist

Yokoyama Seiki

横山清暉

1792–1864

Utagawa Kunimaru, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Kunimaru

歌川国丸

1793–1829

Watanabe Kazan, Japanese print artist

Watanabe Kazan

渡辺崋山

1793–1841

Utagawa Kuniyasu, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Kuniyasu

歌川国安

1794–1832

Utagawa Kuninao, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Kuninao

歌川国直

1795–1854

Suzuki Kiitsu, Japanese print artist

Suzuki Kiitsu

鈴木其一

1796–1858

Utagawa Hiroshige, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Hiroshige

歌川広重

1797–1858

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

歌川国芳

1798–1861

Katsushika Ōi, Japanese print artist

Katsushika Ōi

葛飾応為

1800–1866

Tsubaki Chinzan, Japanese print artist

Tsubaki Chinzan

椿椿山

1801–1854

Ryūsai Shigeharu, Japanese print artist

Ryūsai Shigeharu

柳斎重春

1803–1853

Utagawa Kunitsuna, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Kunitsuna

歌川国綱

1805–1868

Utagawa Sadahide, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Sadahide

歌川貞秀

1807–1873

Shibata Zeshin, Japanese print artist

Shibata Zeshin

柴田是真

1807–1891

Shiokawa Bunrin, Japanese print artist

Shiokawa Bunrin

塩川文麟

1808–1877

Utagawa Kuniteru, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Kuniteru

歌川国輝

1808–1876

Hasegawa Sadanobu I, Japanese print artist

Hasegawa Sadanobu I

長谷川貞信

1809–1879

Mori Kansai, Japanese print artist

Mori Kansai

森寛斎

1814–1894

Utagawa Yoshimune, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Yoshimune

歌川芳宗

1817–1880

Utagawa Yoshiume, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Yoshiume

歌川芳梅

1819–1879

Konishi Hirosada, Japanese print artist

Konishi Hirosada

小西広貞

1819–1865

Katsushika Isai, Japanese print artist

Katsushika Isai

葛飾為斎

1821–1880

Utagawa Yoshitsuya, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Yoshitsuya

歌川芳艶

1822–1866

Utagawa Kunisada II, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Kunisada II

二代目歌川国貞

1823–1880

Kishi Chikudō, Japanese print artist

Kishi Chikudō

岸竹堂

1826–1897

Utagawa Hiroshige II, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Hiroshige II

二代目歌川広重

1826–1869

Kawakami Tōgai, Japanese print artist

Kawakami Tōgai

川上冬崖

1827–1881

Utagawa Yoshifuji, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Yoshifuji

歌川芳藤

1828–1887

Kanō Hōgai, Japanese print artist

Kanō Hōgai

狩野芳崖

1828–1888

Takahashi Yuichi, Japanese print artist

Takahashi Yuichi

高橋由一

1828–1894

Utagawa Yoshiharu, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Yoshiharu

歌川芳春

1828–1888

Utagawa Yoshimori, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Yoshimori

歌川芳盛

1830–1884

Taki Katei, Japanese print artist

Taki Katei

滝和亭

1830–1901

Utagawa Yoshitoyo, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Yoshitoyo

歌川芳豊

1830–1866

Utagawa Kuniteru II, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Kuniteru II

二代歌川国輝

1830–1874

Kawanabe Kyosai, Japanese print artist

Kawanabe Kyosai

河鍋暁斎

1831–1889

Araki Kanpo, Japanese print artist

Araki Kanpo

荒木寛畝

1831–1915

Ochiai Yoshiiku, Japanese print artist

Ochiai Yoshiiku

落合芳幾

1833–1904

Mochizuki Gyokusen, Japanese print artist

Mochizuki Gyokusen

望月玉泉

1834–1913

Utagawa Kuniaki II, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Kuniaki II

二代歌川国明

1835–1888

Toyohara Kunichika, Japanese print artist

Toyohara Kunichika

豊原国周

1835–1900

Hashimoto Gahō, Japanese print artist

Hashimoto Gahō

橋本雅邦

1835–1908

Tomioka Tessai, Japanese print artist

Tomioka Tessai

富岡鉄斎

1837–1924

Numata Kashū, Japanese print artist

Numata Kashū

沼田荷舟

1838–1901

Toyohara Chikanobu, Japanese print artist

Toyohara Chikanobu

豊原周延

1838–1912

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, Japanese print artist

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

月岡芳年

1839–1892

Matsumoto Fūko, Japanese print artist

Matsumoto Fūko

松本楓湖

1840–1923

Utagawa Yoshitaki, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Yoshitaki

歌川芳滝

1841–1899

Kawabata Gyokushō, Japanese print artist

Kawabata Gyokushō

川端玉章

1842–1913

Utagawa Hiroshige III, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Hiroshige III

三代目歌川広重

1842–1894

Kobayashi Eitaku, Japanese print artist

Kobayashi Eitaku

小林永濯

1843–1890

Kōno Bairei, Japanese print artist

Kōno Bairei

幸野楳嶺

1844–1895

Torii Kiyosada, Japanese print artist

Torii Kiyosada

鳥居清貞

1844–1901

Imao Keinen, Japanese print artist

Imao Keinen

今尾景年

1845–1924

Kobayashi Kiyochika, Japanese print artist

Kobayashi Kiyochika

小林清親

1847–1915

Noguchi Shōhin, Japanese print artist

Noguchi Shōhin

野口小蘋

1847–1917

Utagawa Kunitoshi, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Kunitoshi

歌川国利

1847–1899

Utagawa Kunisada III, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Kunisada III

三代目歌川国貞

1848–1920

Hasegawa Sadanobu II, Japanese print artist

Hasegawa Sadanobu II

二代目長谷川貞信

1848–1940

Suzuki Shōnen, Japanese print artist

Suzuki Shōnen

鈴木松年

1849–1918

Andō Hiroshige IV, Japanese print artist

Andō Hiroshige IV

安藤広重四代

1849–1925

Honda Kinkichirō, Japanese print artist

Honda Kinkichirō

本多錦吉郎

1850–1921

Takashima Hokkai, Japanese print artist

Takashima Hokkai

高島北海

1850–1931

Yamamoto Hōsui, Japanese print artist

Yamamoto Hōsui

山本芳翠

1850–1906

Watanabe Seitei, Japanese print artist

Watanabe Seitei

渡辺省亭

1851–1918

Mishima Shōsō, Japanese print artist

Mishima Shōsō

三島蕉窓

1856–1928

Asai Chu, Japanese print artist

Asai Chu

浅井忠

1856–1907

Robert Blum, Japanese print artist

Robert Blum

1857–1903

Koyama Shōtarō, Japanese print artist

Koyama Shōtarō

小山正太郎

1857–1916

Yamazaki Toshinobu, Japanese print artist

Yamazaki Toshinobu

山崎年信

1857–1886

Shibata Shinsai, Japanese print artist

Shibata Shinsai

柴田真斎

1858–1895

Utagawa Toyonobu, Japanese print artist

Utagawa Toyonobu

歌川豊宣

1859–1886

Ogata Gekko, Japanese print artist

Ogata Gekko

尾形月耕

1859–1920

Suzuki Kason, Japanese print artist

Suzuki Kason

鈴木華邨

1860–1919

Charles W. Bartlett, Japanese print artist

Charles W. Bartlett

1860–1940

Takeuchi Keishu, Japanese print artist

Takeuchi Keishu

武内桂舟

1861–1942

Kikuchi Hōbun, Japanese print artist

Kikuchi Hōbun

菊池芳文

1862–1918

Migita Toshihide, Japanese print artist

Migita Toshihide

右田年英

1863–1925

Tsutsui Toshimine, Japanese print artist

Tsutsui Toshimine

筒井年峰

1863–1934

Inoue Yasuji, Japanese print artist

Inoue Yasuji

井上安治

1864–1889

Takeuchi Seihō, Japanese print artist

Takeuchi Seihō

竹内栖鳳

1864–1942

Kobori Tomone, Japanese print artist

Kobori Tomone

小堀鞆音

1864–1931

Taguchi Beisaku, Japanese print artist

Taguchi Beisaku

田口米作

1864–1903

Taniguchi Kōkyō, Japanese print artist

Taniguchi Kōkyō

谷口香嶠

1864–1915

Tomioka Eisen, Japanese print artist

Tomioka Eisen

富岡永洗

1864–1905

Kuroda Seiki, Japanese print artist

Kuroda Seiki

黒田清輝

1866–1924

Kamisaka Sekka, Japanese print artist

Kamisaka Sekka

神坂雪佳

1866–1942

Mizuno Toshikata, Japanese print artist

Mizuno Toshikata

水野年方

1866–1908

Nakamura Fusetsu, Japanese print artist

Nakamura Fusetsu

中村不折

1866–1943

Maruyama Banka, Japanese print artist

Maruyama Banka

丸山晩霞

1867–1942

Fujishima Takeji, Japanese print artist

Fujishima Takeji

藤島武二

1867–1943

Yokoyama Taikan, Japanese print artist

Yokoyama Taikan

横山大観

1868–1958

Kawanabe Kyōsui, Japanese print artist

Kawanabe Kyōsui

河鍋暁翠

1868–1935

Ogawa Usen, Japanese print artist

Ogawa Usen

小川芋銭

1868–1938

Yamada Keichū, Japanese print artist

Yamada Keichū

山田敬中

1868–1934

Helen Hyde, Japanese print artist

Helen Hyde

1868–1913

Notable Works

Works created during the Edo Period

Actor Kataoka Nizaemon VIII as Hida no kami Masakiyo by Utagawa Kunisada

Actor Kataoka Nizaemon VIII as Hida no kami Masakiyo

Edo period (1603–1867)

Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, creped

The First Evening in the Mountains (Yamabiraki no yûhi) by Katsukawa Shunchō

The First Evening in the Mountains (Yamabiraki no yûhi)

Late 18th century

Color woodblock print, ink and colors on paper

A Spring Night (Yayoi no yube) by Utagawa Kunisada

A Spring Night (Yayoi no yube)

c. 1847-52

Color woodblock print

A Dancer by Nishikawa Sukenobu

A Dancer

Late 17th to 18th century

Color woodblock print

Actor Kataoka Nizaemon VIII as Hida no kami Masakiyo by Utagawa Toyokuni I

Actor Kataoka Nizaemon VIII as Hida no kami Masakiyo

Edo period (1603–1867)

Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, creped

Coastal Landscape by Iwasa Matabei

Coastal Landscape

1573-1615

Hanging scroll; ink on paper

Yamato shinoe zukushi by Hishikawa Moronobu

Yamato shinoe zukushi

1686

Woodblock printed book

Cooling Off at Ryogoku in Edo by Kikukawa Eizan

Cooling Off at Ryogoku in Edo

Triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper

Courtesan and Her Maid by Chōkōsai Eishō

Courtesan and Her Maid

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Courtesan Playing Shamisen by Katsushika Hokuju

Courtesan Playing Shamisen

Edo period (1615-1868)

Color woodblock print; surimono

Two Girls Under Plum Tree by Nishikawa Sukenobu

Two Girls Under Plum Tree

Monochrome woodblock print; ink on paper

An Actor Beside Water by Utagawa Toyokuni I

An Actor Beside Water

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Frequently Asked Questions

The Edo Period (江戸時代) ran from 1603 to 1868.

The Edo period saw the rise of ukiyo-e, the iconic woodblock print tradition depicting the floating world of pleasure districts, kabuki actors, beautiful women, and landscapes. Under the Tokugawa shogunate's peaceful rule, a thriving urban culture in Edo (modern Tokyo) fueled demand for affordable printed art. Masters like Hokusai and Hiroshige transformed the medium from commercial illustration into a respected art form, producing series that would later inspire Western Impressionists and Art Nouveau.

Traditional Mokuhanga and Meiji/Taishō Prints were among the movements active during the Edo Period.

Hanga catalogues 164 artists whose careers overlap with the Edo Period (1603–1868).

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