Skip to main content
Museum of Art

JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT HIGHLIGHTS

Woodblock printing was widely adopted in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868). Most of the prints within our permanent collection fall within this time period. The majority of them are excellent examples of “Ukiyo-e” images, roughly translated as “pictures of the floating world,” referring to scenes of leisure, entertainment, and everyday life in Japan.

While some have been gifted to the museum by generous donors, the bulk of this collection comes from the Mahonri M. Young Estate, partially purchased and partially gifted to the University in 1959. They were likely originally collected by the American Impressionist Julian Alden Weir (1852-1919), who often used them as a resource for study and inspiration for his own art. Mahonri Young married Weir’s daughter Dorothy, and eventually these prints became part of the Young estate.

1 of 40
Cherry-Blossoms at Night at Nakanocho in the Yoshiwara, from Famous Places of the Eastern Capital
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'Cherry-Blossoms at Night at Nakanocho in the Yoshiwara,' from 'Famous Places of the Eastern Capital,' c.1835, woodblock print, 8 3/4 x 3 5/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
2 of 40
Ishiyakushi, from Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (Hoeido Edition)
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'Ishiyakushi,' from 'Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (Hoeido Edition),' no date, woodblock print, 8 13/16 x 13 11/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, gift of Stanford C. Stoddard, 2001.
3 of 40
Hiratsuka: Ferry on the Banyu River, from Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (Gyosho Edition)
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'Hiratsuka: Ferry on The Banyu River,' from 'Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (Gyosho Edition),' 1841-1844, woodcut, 7 15/16 x 12 9/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
4 of 40
Hara from Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (Gyosho Edition)
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'Hara' from 'Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (Gyosho Edition),' 1841-1844, woodcut, 7 3/4 x 12 1/2 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
5 of 40
Moon at Takanawa, from Three Views of Famous Places in Edo
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'Moon at Takanawa,' from 'Three Views of Famous Places in Edo,' c.1840, woodcut, 9 3/8 x 14 5/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
6 of 40
The Aoyagi Restaurant in Ryogoku, from Famous Restaurants of Edo
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'The Aoyagi Restaurant in Ryogoku,' from 'Famous Restaurants of Edo,' c.1840, woodcut, 9 x 14 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
7 of 40
Ryogoku Bridge, from Famous Places in Edo
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) 'Ryogoku Bridge,' from 'Famous Places in Edo,' c.1835, woodblock print, 9 11/16 x 14 1/2 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
8 of 40
Numazu, from Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (Hoeido Edition)
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'Numazu,' from 'Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (Hoeido Edition),' 1831-1834, woodcut, 9 x 13 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
9 of 40
Boats in Harbor
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'Boats in Harbor,' no date, woodblock print, 6 9/16 x 9 15/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 1993.
10 of 40
Numazu, from Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (Kyota Edition)
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'Numazu,' from 'Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (Kyoka Edition),' 1840-1842, woodcut, 6 1/8 x 8 3/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
11 of 40
Susaki Jumantsubo Plain Near Fukagawa, from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'Susaki Jūmantsubo Plain Near Fukagawa,' from 'One Hundred Famous Views of Edo,' 1857, woodcut, 12 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
12 of 40
Ishiyama Temple and Lake Biwa in Omi Province, from Famous Views of the Sixty-Odd Provinces
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'Ishiyama Temple and Lake Biwa in Omi Province,' from 'Famous Views of the Sixty-Odd Provinces,' c.1853, woodblock print, 13 1/8 x 8 7/8 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
13 of 40
Sudden Shower over Shin-Ohashi Bridge and Atake, from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'Sudden Shower over Shin-Ohashi Bridge and Atake,' from 'One Hundred Famous Views of Edo,' c.1857, woodblock print, 13 7/16 x 8 13/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
14 of 40
Figures in Snow
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'Figures in Snow,' no date, woodblock print, 9 11/16 x 6 5/8 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 1993.
15 of 40
Kinryuzan Temple in Asakusa
Ando Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), 'Kinryuzan Temple in Asakusa,' from 'One Hundred Famous Views of Edo,' 1856, woodcut, 14 x 9 1/4 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
16 of 40
Under the Wave off Kanagawa, from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), 'Under the Wave off Kanagawa,' from 'Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji,' c.1830-32, woodcut, 10 x 15 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
17 of 40
Fuki Bridge in Echizen Province, from Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), 'Fuki Bridge in Echizen Province,' from 'Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces,' 1834, woodcut, 10 x 15 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
18 of 40
Seven-Mile Beach in Sagami Province, from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), 'Seven-Mile Beach in Sagami Province,' from 'Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji,' c.1830-32, woodcut, 11 x 16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
19 of 40
Yoro Waterfall in Mino Province, from Tour of the Waterfalls in Various Provinces
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), 'Yoro Waterfall in Mino Province,' from 'Tour of the Waterfalls in Various Provinces,' c.1833, woodcut, 15 x 10 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
20 of 40
Watermill at Onden, from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), 'Watermill at Onden,' from 'Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji,' c.1830-32, woodcut, 10 x 14 3/4 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
21 of 40
Embellishment of Edo
Anonymous-Asia, 'Embellishment of Edo,' no date, woodcut, 8 3/4 x 13 1/4 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
22 of 40
Ryogokubashi in the Moonlight, from Eight Scenes at Famous Places in the Eastern Capital
Utagawa Yoshitora (active c.1840-1880), 'Ryogokubashi in the Moonlight,' from 'Eight Scenes at Famous Places in the Eastern Capital,' 1854, woodcut, 8 3/16 x 12 1/2 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
23 of 40
Triptych Battle Scene
Utagawa Toyokuni (1769-1825), 'Triptych Battle Scene,' no date, woodblock print, 14 5/16 x 9 13/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
24 of 40
Actor Impersonating Geisha
Utagawa Toyokuni (1769-1825), 'Actor Impersonating Geisha,' c.1800, woodblock print, 13 3/4 x 8 1/4 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 1957.
25 of 40
Two Actors
Utagawa Toyokuni (1769-1825), 'Two Actors,' c.1800, woodblock print, 14 3/8 x 9 15/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 1957.
26 of 40
Japanese Triptych
Kochoro Kunisada (1848-1920), 'Japanese Triptych,' 1889, woodcut, 14 1/2 x 27 3/4 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, gift of Stanford C. Stoddard, 1995.
27 of 40
The Bowl Seller
Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806), 'The Bowl Seller,' no date, woodcut, 12 3/4 x 8 9/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
28 of 40
Ladies Dancing by Candlelight
Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806), 'Ladies Dancing by Candlelight,' c.1800, woodcut, 12 13/16 x 8 15/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
29 of 40
Five Young Japanese Ladies
Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806), 'Five Young Japanese Ladies,' no date, woodcut, 15 x 10 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
30 of 40
Needlework (Left Panel of Triptych)
Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806), 'Needlework (Left Panel of Triptych),' c.1800, woodcut, 13 3/4 x 9 3/4 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
31 of 40
Courtesan Playing Samisen
Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806), 'Courtesan Playing Samisen,' no date, woodcut, 15 x 10 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
32 of 40
Geisha Bookplate
Hasegawa Konobu, 'Geisha Bookplate,' no date, woodcut, 3 1/4 x 2 3/8 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 1993.
33 of 40
Visitors to Enoshima (Center Panel)
Torii Kiyonaga (1752-1815), 'Visitors to Enoshima (Center Panel),' c.1789, woodcut, 15 x 10 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 1993.
34 of 40
Nagoya Sanzaburo
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861), 'Nagoya Sanzaburo,' no date, woodcut, 14 1/2 x 9 3/4 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 1957.
35 of 40
Woman and Smiling Child
Katsukawa Shunsen (1762-c.1830), 'Woman and Smiling Child,' woodcut, 14 x 9 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
36 of 40
Hototogisu
Moromasa Furuyama (c.1712-1772), 'Hototogisu,' c.1720, woodcut, 12 x 8 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 1993.
37 of 40
Eagle and Sparrow
Keisai Eisen (1790-1848), 'Eagle and Sparrow,' c.1840, woodcut, 14 x 6 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
38 of 40
Courtesans of the Chojiya
Hosoda Eishi (1756-1829), 'Courtesans of the Chojiya,' c.1795, woodcut, 14 3/4 x 10 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 1993.
39 of 40
Courtesan and Her Lover Reading a Scroll
Suzuki Harunobu (c.1725-1770), 'Courtesan and Her Lover Reading a Scroll,' c.1768, woodcut, 10 1/2 x 8 3/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
40 of 40
Lady and Two Men
Katsukawa Shuncho (active c.1780-1801), 'Lady and Two Men,' no date, woodcut, 11 9/16 x 8 3/16 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.
1 of 40