Figures Prints (1669)
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
Current
Mokuhanga on washi
Meyer Lemon Curd Recipe
Mokuhanga with hand lettering
Mokuhanga Byoubu (Folding Screen)
Mokuhanga on washi (four-panel folding screen)
Reef
Mokuhanga on washi
Vine Leaves
Mokuhanga on washi
Crosiers
Mokuhanga on washi
Pod
Mokuhanga on washi
Water Towers
Mokuhanga on washi
Polyp
Mokuhanga on washi
Two Ferns
Mokuhanga on washi
Dammerung
Mokuhanga accordion-fold artist book
Jug and Branch
Mokuhanga with hand-painted detail
Between Times
Mokuhanga accordion-fold artist book
Woman at a Hot Springs Hotel
Woodblock print
Woman in Summer Robe
Woodblock print
A Woman Applying Makeup
Woodblock print
Ancient People
Woodblock print
Woman and Child with Dogs
Woodblock print
Woman Performing Hobby Horse Dance
Woodblock print
Woman of Canaan
Woodblock print
A Woman being Shot by Arrows (Triptych)
Woodblock print
Young Generation
Woodblock print
Last Supper
Woodblock print
Shepherd
Woodblock print
Lazarus
Woodblock print
Christ
Woodblock print
Noah's Ark
Woodblock print
Peter and the Key
Woodblock print
Dontaro, Fifty Kyogen Plays
Woodblock print
The Disciple Subodai (Ten Great Followers of Shaka)
Woodblock print
Ashura-O from Kegon fu
Woodblock print
Goro
Woodblock print
Clown Acrobat
Woodblock print
The Potter
Woodblock print
Les Jades
Woodblock print
L'Attente
Woodblock print
La Peche Miraculeuse, Izu Japon
Woodblock print
L'Homme Accroupi, Chinois
Woodblock print
Dance
Woodblock print
Blue in the Mirror
Woodblock print
Paper Angel
Woodblock print
Portuguese arriving in Nagasaki
Woodblock print
At the Beach
Woodblock print
Untitled
Woodblock print
Youth
Woodblock print
Circus Horses
Woodblock print
The Thousand Stitches (Sennin-bari)
Woodblock print
Family L
Woodblock print
Figure_7219830
2023
Mixed media (kata yuzen and itome yuzen on tsumugi paper)
Mother and Child
1901
Color woodcut on paper
a space age 4
1975
Silkscreen
Made in USA
1976
Silkscreen
Bathroom
1970
Vintage gelatin silver print.
Bathing Beauties
2026
2026 Unique, Drypoint and relief print on Japanese paper H43 x W36 cm (framed dimensions)
BIJING NOW DRAWING 02
2016
Acrylic ink on paper
BIJING NOW DRAWING 03
2016
Acrylic ink on paper
Faces of Pieces
2011
Intaglio
Ladyslipper Orchids
1954
Woodblock print
Beautiful Woman
1892
Silk
Beautiful Woman
1880
Silk
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 Utagawa Kuniyoshi 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 1669 prints tagged with figures, spanning ukiyo-e, shin-hanga, and sōsaku-hanga traditions where applicable.