Impressions of Ukiyo-ye, the school of the Japanese colour-print artists

An accessible survey traces the emergence and aesthetic principles of the Japanese colour-print tradition known as the Floating World, situating it amid preceding Chinese, Buddhist, and courtly schools and outlining technical and stylistic developments in colour printing. It profiles major practitioners and branches — including Torii printers and masters such as Utamaro, Hokusai, and Hiroshige — compares their methods and motifs, and discusses themes from genre scenes to landscape. Practical guidance for collectors, analytical comparisons of the artists, a bibliography, and facsimile signatures and illustrations round out a handbook for students and enthusiasts.