Exhibition/event has ended.
Discovering Utamaro and Sharaku: Tsutaya’s discerning eyes and the Golden Age of Ukiyoe
MOA Museum of Art
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Ukiyoe is a specific painting style that evolved during the Edo period (1603–1867), supported by the enriched lives of townspeople and reflecting the thriving economy and flourishing culture of the times. Tsutaya Jūzaburō (1750–97) operated a printing house in the mid-Edo period, and it was this entrepreneur who discovered Kitagawa Utamaro, Tōshūsai Sharaku, and many other talented artists, who continue to entice the world today.
Kitagawa Utamaro (unknown birth–1806), reputed as the master of bijinga, established a new genre of female portraits, known as bijin ōkubie, portraying figures from the chest up. He was adept at delicate depiction of womanly comportment and complexion as well as the motif’s inner virtues and alluring beauty. Tōshūsai Sharaku (birth and death years unknown), meanwhile, drew many actors, capturing their characteristic features through his unique renditions. Though he was active only for 10 months between May 1794 to January 1795, his impressive actor portraits count as many as 140. Their contemporaries include Katsukawa Shunshō (unknown birth–1793), Chōbunsai Eishi (1756–1829), and Utagawa Toyokuni (1769–1825), and these artists brought ukiyoe to the pinnacle of its cultural acclaim.
This exhibition presents a collection of nishiki-e and hand-painted bijinga works, representing the period from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century—the golden era of ukiyoe that flourished in the lively popular culture of the Edo townspeople.
Kitagawa Utamaro (unknown birth–1806), reputed as the master of bijinga, established a new genre of female portraits, known as bijin ōkubie, portraying figures from the chest up. He was adept at delicate depiction of womanly comportment and complexion as well as the motif’s inner virtues and alluring beauty. Tōshūsai Sharaku (birth and death years unknown), meanwhile, drew many actors, capturing their characteristic features through his unique renditions. Though he was active only for 10 months between May 1794 to January 1795, his impressive actor portraits count as many as 140. Their contemporaries include Katsukawa Shunshō (unknown birth–1793), Chōbunsai Eishi (1756–1829), and Utagawa Toyokuni (1769–1825), and these artists brought ukiyoe to the pinnacle of its cultural acclaim.
This exhibition presents a collection of nishiki-e and hand-painted bijinga works, representing the period from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century—the golden era of ukiyoe that flourished in the lively popular culture of the Edo townspeople.
Schedule | Jul 25 (Fri) 2025-Sep 9 (Tue) 2025 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Adults ¥1760; University and High School Students ¥1100; Seniors 65 & Over ¥1540; Junior High School Students and Under, Persons with Disability Certificates + 2 Companion free | ||||
| Website | https://www.moaart.or.jp/en/?event=utamaro_sharaku | ||||
| Venue | MOA Museum of Art https://www.moaart.or.jp/eng_work/ | ||||
| Location | 26-2 Momoyama-cho, Atami-shi, Shizuoka 413-8511 | ||||
| Access | 5 minutes by taxi from JR Atami Station; From JR Atami Station, take the Izu Tokai bus towards MOA Museum of Art and get off at MOA Museum of Art. | ||||
| Phone | 0557-84-2511 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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