Figures Prints (1744)
Figure compositions are among the most diverse subjects in Japanese printmaking, encompassing everything from intimate domestic scenes to grand historical narratives. The tradition spans the full history of ukiyo-e, from Moronobu's pioneering single-sheet prints of the 1670s to contemporary figure studies that blend traditional techniques with modern sensibilities. In the ukiyo-e era, figure prints often depicted courtesans, actors, and townspeople of Edo's pleasure quarters, capturing the fashions, gestures, and social dynamics of urban life. The shin-hanga movement brought a more contemplative approach, with artists like Ito Shinsui creating elegant figure studies that emphasized mood and atmosphere over narrative action. Sosaku-hanga artists pursued more experimental figure work, from Onchi Koshiro's abstract portraits to Sekino Jun'ichiro's bold character studies. Figure prints in the Japanese tradition are notable for their attention to textile patterns, body language, and the suggestion of inner life through subtle compositional choices. Whether depicting a single standing figure or a complex multi-figure narrative, these works reveal the printmaker's skill in translating human presence into the woodblock medium.
Artists Known for Figures
Shamyris, Shôwa period, dated 1965?
Woodblock print
Celebrating the Good Harvest: Felicitations for a Thousand Ages (Nôhônen, Chiyo no kotobuki)
Woodblock print
Midas, Shôwa period, dated 1965?
Woodblock print
Gundari Myôô, Shôwa period, dated 1962
Woodblock print
Fortune Teller, Shôwa period, dated 1957
Woodblock print
![Praying for Rain at Ryozengasaki in Kamakura, 1271 (Bun'ei hachi Kamakura Ryozengasaki ame inoru), from the series "Concise Illustrated Biography of the Great Priest [Nichiren] (Koso go ichidai ryakuzu)" by Utagawa Kuniyoshi](https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/4a497108-12ad-0923-2dba-6e9acef02ee5/full/843,/0/default.jpg)
Praying for Rain at Ryozengasaki in Kamakura, 1271 (Bun'ei hachi Kamakura Ryozengasaki ame inoru), from the series "Concise Illustrated Biography of the Great Priest [Nichiren] (Koso go ichidai ryakuzu)"
c. 1830/35
Color woodblock print; oban
Lu Zhishen in a Drunken Rage Attacking the Guardian Figure at the Temple on Mount Godai (Rochishin ransui Godaisan Kongojin o uchikowasu no zu)
September 1887
Color woodblock prints; oban diptych
Herakles, Shôwa period, dated 1965?
Woodblock print
Chüshingura in Twelve Months
Woodblock print
Ten Types of Female Nudes: Bored (Rajo jusshu: Tsurezure) title on original tissue paper cover
Woodblock print
Bellerophon, Shôwa period, dated 1965?
Woodblock print
Mt. Fuji and Traveller
Woodblock print
Fisherman
漁夫
c. 1940
Color woodblock print
Farmer
農夫
c. 1940
Color woodblock print
Eizö and Matsuomaru (Artist’s proof)
Woodblock print
Lacquer Worker
漆工
c. 1940
Color woodblock print
Street Vendor
行商人
c. 1940
Color woodblock print
Sweet Sake Vendor
Woodblock print
Farmer Kyusaku - Plate No 114
Not set
Woodblock print
Nude figure of a woman reclining
Japanese, Taishô era, 20th century
Woodblock print
Traveler on Moonlit Shore
Not set
Woodblock print
Flower vendor and woman who arranges flowers
Woodblock print
Dancing Figure (Camellia)
Woodblock print
People eating Benkei Chikara mochi under cherry blossoms at Mii Temple — 三井寺の弁慶力餅
Woodblock print
Untitled, Pilgrim
Woodblock print
Monk Praying
Woodblock print
Two Ladies Talking to Flower Peddler (descriptive title)
Woodblock print
Fisherman in the night (title not original)
Woodblock print
![[Grey Figure Posing] by Nakao Yoshitaka](https://1.api.artsmia.org/800/135848.jpg)
[Grey Figure Posing]
1959
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Farmer and Mule
Woodblock print
The Shell Merchant, Palau (Le Marchand de Coquillages, Palau)
1941
Color woodblock print
The Old Fisherman, Japan (Le Vieux Pêcheur, Japon)
1936
Color woodblock print
Hawaiian Fisherman
1910
Woodblock print
Hawaiian Fisherman, John Hano-Hano Pa
1916
Woodblock print
Fisherman
1906
woodcut
![Title unknown [Landscape with figure standing in grasses] by Kihei Sasajima](https://1.api.artsmia.org/800/135843.jpg)
Title unknown [Landscape with figure standing in grasses]
1947
Woodblock print, ink on paper
Dancing Figure
舞姿
1930
Color woodblock print
Snow Figure (Yuki no zo)
1958
Color woodblock print
Dancing Figure (Eshima)- Oban
Woodblock print
Dancing Figure, Mai Ogi- LE
Woodblock print
Dancing Figure (Sagimusume) LE
Woodblock print
Dancing Figure (Snow Camellia)
Woodblock print
Three People Named Kichiza (Sannin Kichiza), Shôwa period, dated 1974
Woodblock print
European Ship Entering Port (Group of People)
1953
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
No Series Spring Figure
Woodblock print
Merchant's House in Takehara, Hiroshima (Hiroshima Takehara shoka)
2004
Color woodblock print; edition 5/80
Self-figure (Surround) A
1966
Woodblock print, ink and color on embossed paper
Monk at a Mountain Temple
20th century
Color woodblock print
People Visiting Stable
Woodblock print
Untitled, Bird and Person
Woodblock print
Untitled, Two People
Woodblock print
Figure in White (Shiroi zo)
Woodblock print
![Title unknown [Figure] by Umetaro Azechi](https://1.api.artsmia.org/800/135953.jpg)
Title unknown [Figure]
1950
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
White Figure
Woodblock print
White Figure, Shôwa period, dated 1958
Woodblock print
Figure - 3
1968
Woodblock print, ink and color on embossed paper
Old Fisherman in a Net-House (Amigoya no rojin)
1966
Color woodblock print; edition 40/50
Traveler at Rest
Woodblock print
Preparatory drawing of High Priest Kōmyō
1874
Preparatory drawing for a print, ink and color on paper
Priest Raigo of Miidera Transforming into a Vengeful Rat
1891
Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
Related Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Figure compositions are among the most diverse subjects in Japanese printmaking, encompassing everything from intimate domestic scenes to grand historical narratives. The tradition spans the full history of ukiyo-e, from Moronobu's pioneering single-sheet prints of the 1670s to contemporary figure studies that blend traditional techniques with modern sensibilities.
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, Ogata Gekko, and Torii Kotondo are among the artists most associated with figures in our collection. Browse the full list of artists who explored this subject above.
Hanga currently catalogues 1744 prints tagged with figures, spanning ukiyo-e, shin-hanga, and sōsaku-hanga traditions where applicable.