Early Ukiyo-e

Early Japanese woodblock prints, also known as "Kanō school" prints, emerged in the late 16th century and were primarily influenced by Chinese ink painting and screen paintings. These prints were often created by artists from the Kanō school, a prominent school of painting in Japan at the time. The subjects of these early prints were typically landscapes, birds, flowers, and other natural elements. The prints were characterized by bold, monochromatic designs with strong outlines and minimal use of color. These early woodblock prints laid the foundation for the development of the Ukiyo-e genre in the following centuries.

Some of the early woodblock print artists in Japan include: Hishikawa MORONOBU (1618-1694, considered the founder of Ukiyo-e, Moronobu was known for his depictions of beautiful women, kabuki actors, and scenes from everyday life), Suzuki HARUNOBU (1725-1770, Harunobu was known for his innovative use of color in woodblock prints, particularly in his portrayal of women and romantic scene) and Kitagawa UTAMARO (1753-1806), Utamaro was renowned for his elegant and detailed prints of women, often depicting them in various activities and settings)