On 8th July 2025, Dreweatts Auctioneers will present Japanese Prints: Art of the Woodblock, offering an extraordinary collection of ukiyo-e works from the Edo period. Ukiyo-e, meaning ‘pictures of the floating world’, is a genre that flourished in Japan during the 17th to 19th centuries. It saw artists depict scenes of beauty, nature, entertainment, and …
The Art of the Japanese Woodblock: Dreweatts Auction to Feature Masterpieces of Ukiyo-e
On 8th July 2025, Dreweatts Auctioneers will present Japanese Prints: Art of the Woodblock, offering an extraordinary collection of ukiyo-e works from the Edo period. Ukiyo-e, meaning ‘pictures of the floating world’, is a genre that flourished in Japan during the 17th to 19th centuries. It saw artists depict scenes of beauty, nature, entertainment, and everyday life through the intricate process of woodblock printing. These prints became a key influence on Western artists like Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, and Vincent van Gogh, and helped shape the Western perception of Japanese art.
The upcoming auction features masterpieces by the virtuosos of ukiyo-e, including works by Hokusai and Hiroshige.
Auction Highlights
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)
- Poem by Kanke (Sugawara Michizane)
- Edo period, 19th century
- Estimate: £8,000-£10,000
This exquisite work by Hokusai visualizes a poem by the famous Sugawara no Michizane, invoking the beauty of nature through vibrant hues and meticulous detail. A rare offering that captures both poetic and visual elements of the time.
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)
- Sazai Hall of the Temple of the Five Hundred Arhats (Gohyaku Rakan ji Sazaido)
- Edo period, 19th century
- Estimate: £10,000-£15,000
A striking depiction of one of Japan’s most revered temples, rendered with Hokusai’s signature style. This work highlights his ability to combine spirituality with breathtaking artistry.
Hiroshige (1797-1858)
- Sudden Shower over Shin-Ohashi Bridge and Atake (Ohashi Atake no yudachi)
- This work famously inspired Vincent van Gogh’s painting Bridge in the Rain, which can be found at the van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
- A beautiful print depicting the dynamic movement of rain over a bridge, showcasing Hiroshige’s mastery of atmospheric effects.
Hiroshige (1797-1858)
- Plum Estate, Kameido (Kameido umeyashiki)
- A novel print for its cropped composition and unique vantage point, creating a striking sense of depth and perspective in the work. This print is renowned for capturing the tranquil beauty of nature.
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)
- Under the Great Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa-oki Nami Ura)
- Edo period, 19th century
- Estimate: £80,000-£120,000
Possibly the most famous Japanese print in history, The Great Wave is a monumental work from Hokusai’s celebrated series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. This iconic image of a giant wave about to crash over small fishing boats, with Mount Fuji calmly looming in the distance, symbolizes the epic struggle between humanity and nature. The bold composition and use of indigo have influenced artists around the world, cementing its status as a global cultural treasure.
The Cultural Significance of Ukiyo-e
Ukiyo-e prints, particularly from artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige, provided a vivid and dynamic portrayal of life during the Edo period, celebrating landscapes, beautiful women, kabuki actors, and the pleasures of life. These prints were produced using a labor-intensive process involving multiple woodblocks, each inked separately and pressed onto handmade paper to create the final image.
The Great Wave, in particular, stands as a symbol of the sublime force of nature, and its dramatic composition and profound beauty have captivated audiences worldwide for centuries.
Why Collect?
As Sara Balbi, Managing Director of Dreweatts, states:
“Ukiyo-e prints are not just visually stunning; they represent a deep connection to Japanese culture and philosophy. Works by Hokusai and Hiroshige transcend time and geography, influencing artists globally while remaining anchors of Japan’s rich artistic history. This auction is an exceptional opportunity to acquire works that have shaped both the art world and popular imagination.”
Auction Details
- Date: 8th July 2025
- Location: Dreweatts Auctioneers, Newbury, UK
- Bidding: Available online at Dreweatts.com
This Japanese Prints auction provides collectors with the opportunity to acquire significant ukiyo-e masterpieces, capturing the beauty, drama, and influence of the Edo period. Whether for its artistic value, historical significance, or aesthetic power, the works of Hokusai and Hiroshige remain indispensable treasures of global art history.
