The Riddles of Ukiyo-e. Women and Men in Japanese Prints 1765–1865

• This book sheds light on the often mysterious iconography in Japanese prints
• Lavishly illustrated with over 130 prints of women and men, from the heyday of Japanese printmaking
• A passionate introduction to the intriguing art of Ukiyo-e

Women and men – strong, proud, tragic or beautiful – from the heyday (1765–1865) of Japanese printmaking are this book's subject. It seeks to dig below the surface of the prints to describe the often subtle iconography employed in these masterful creations by the most famous artists of their time. It begins with Suzuki Harunobu's subdued and introverted scenes of women seated on verandas. The book then moves on to the spectacular ‘big face' (okubi-e) portraits of prostitutes and Kabuki actors by artists like Kitagawa Utamaro, Toshusai Sharaku and Utagawa Kunimasa.