Jianghu fu shi zhi mei: The beauty of the floating world in Edo

Abstract

"The term ukiyo-e denotes a genre of Japanese woodblock prints that flourished during the Edo period (1603-1868). Emerging in the 17th century under the Tokugawa shogunate, a period marked by robust commercial activity, ukiyo-e embodies a complex array of cultural values. Its significance calls for rigorous research from social, cultural, and artistic perspectives, as the art form uniquely synthesizes painting, publishing, and woodblock engraving. The development of ukiyo-e enabled its practitioners to diverge from the stylistic constraints of the established Kano School, thereby forging an aesthetic that resonated with the tastes and sensibilities of the common people, and establishing ukiyo-e as an emblem of early modern Japanese popular culture. With the inauguration of the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum in 2015, the research and collection of ukiyo-e were prioritized as central elements in the museums broader mission to advance the study of East Asian cultures and arts. The Southern Branch has since served as a pivotal institution for the exploration of Asian cultural and artistic exchanges. In 2025, to commemorate the centenary of the National Palace Museum and the tenth anniversary of its Southern Branch, this special exhibition has been curated, structured around four thematic sections: 'Riverside Splendor', 'Metropolitan Moments', 'The Joy of Travel', and ' Border-Transcending Exchanges'. The exhibition will present 218 works, including woodblock prints, a folding screen, a handscroll, surimono, and illustrated books"-- Director's preface, Tsung-huang Hsiao (page 4).