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
Untitled (yoshimune-arai)
Woodblock print
The gods of fortune Ebisu and Daikoku
1797
Color woodblock print; surimono, egoyomi
A parody of Hanshin and Shide, two chinese monks
1941
Woodblock print
Drawing for Eizo and Matsuomaru
1947
Watercolor on paper
Ghat in Benares (Benaresu no gatto)
Benaresu no gatto
1931
Color woodblock print; oban
Haniwa (A)
埴輪 (A)
1962
Color woodblock print
Act 1 (Daijo), from the series "The Revenge of the Loyal Retainers (Chushingura)"
c. 1834/39
Color woodblock print; oban
Japanese Art Open Database
Woodblock print
After the Bath (Yuagari)
Woodblock print
Untitled (ishikawa-toraji)
Woodblock print
After the Bath
Woodblock print
Yang Kuei Fei
1978
Color woodblock print
Illustration of The Bluebell (Asagao), Chapter 20 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari)
19th century
Almost looks like a painting/drawing
Gathering Herbs
c. 1796/97
Color woodblock print; long surimono
#51 Scene from Act IV
c. 1935
Woodblock print
Illumination — あかり
circa 1970-1990
Woodblock print
Ten Types of Female Nudes: At the Bath (Rajo jusshu: Yokushitsu nite)
Woodblock print
Relaxing
Woodblock print
Preparation — 仕度
Not set
Woodblock print
Bertha Lum
1909
Woodblock print
Two Blind Men and Snowman
1780s
Woodblock print (surimono), ink and color on paper
The Homecoming
1905
Color woodcut on Japan paper, impression from key block
Album of 12 prints from the series Pictures of the Presentation of the Grand Potato
1890s
Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
Man and Woman
Woodblock print
Diary: February 11th, 1995 (b), Sleeping Man and Newspaper
1995
Woodblock print
Plasterer
左官
c. 1940
Color woodblock print
India Nautch Dancers
1923
Woodblock print
Relaxing (Ikoi), from the series "Ten Types of Female Nudes (Rajo jusshu)"
1935
Color woodblock print
An Old Man and Attendants Watching the Sugoroku Game
1799
Color woodblock print; surimono
Bored (tsurezure), from the series "Ten Types of Female Nudes (Rajo jusshu)"
1935
Color woodblock print
At the Bath
1934
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Saseru
Not set
Woodblock print
Shuga hyakunin isshu 秀雅百人一首
Woodblock print
Untitled (yoshimune-arai)
Woodblock print
Yoshimune 2 Utagawa (1863-1941)
Woodblock print
Untitled (yoshimune-arai)
Woodblock print
Asai Kiyoshi
Woodblock print
Before a Mirror
1927
Woodblock print
Sunrise Rite
1928
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Ghat in Benares
1931
Woodblock print
Mirror, from the series "Eight Women of Modern Times (Imayo fujin hattai no uchi)"
1929
Color woodblock print; edition 12/80
Flying Over the Mountains (Yamagoe), from the series "The Tale of the Auklet (Uto Hanga-kan)"
1960
Woodblock print
Untitled
Armoured Men (Yoroeru otokotachi)
1974
Color woodblock print; edition 8/50
An00224717 001 L
Woodblock print
Morning
Woodblock print
Japanese Art Open Database
Woodblock print
Two women stretching cloth
c. 1797/98
Color woodblock print; double-page illustration from book
Waves of Potential Immigrants from Many Lands (Shikinamigusa)
1796
Color woodblock-printed book; 1 vol.
Untitled (hasegawa-sadanobu-iii)
Woodblock print
The Jades, China (Les Jades, Chine)
1940
Color woodblock print
Tipsy
1930
Woodblock print
Impression of an Arab
1958
Color woodblock print; edition 44/50
Ohmi Gallery
Woodblock print
Reading
1935
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Arai, Yoshimune
Woodblock print
Untitled (yoshimune-arai)
Woodblock print
Awabi diver, Mermaid
Woodblock print
Seabathing
1970
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Untitled
1865
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.