 Print
Historian
|
|
The arrival in Tokyo Bay, 1853, of an American fleet under Commodore
Matthew Perry, started many changes in Japan. Much foreign technology
was accepted and shortly, the Meiji Restoration (1868 - 1912) began Japan's
growth into a world power.
|
|
Much history has been written about Japan, but as we all know, history
is not always true! To observe actual history, we must look at art! In
Yokohama, often called "The Wild West of the Far East" due to its violent
nature, the foreign visitors were exciting art subjects! Color woodblock
prints of that era, show us the fascinated artists' views of foreigners
- vibrant and interesting! It was from those prints that the image of
foreign people established itself.
|
|
The designers, carvers, printers and publishers of the prints can be
considered as the real historians of that time. Artists always show us
the true spirit of a nation! One of the reasons that I like Japan so much
is, it's the only country that shows me its real character through its
splendid art!
|
