Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access (SIA Only)

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Art Business

First Advisor

Zhang Gan

Second Advisor

Agnes Berecz

Abstract

Yokai Ukiyo-e is a unique form in the art history of Japan. During the transition
period from Edo to Meiji, social turmoils frequently occurred and the values of people were constantly in conflicts. In this fast-changing era, painters maintained a calm observation of the world and painted under great pressure. Of these great painters, some died of depression and some survived in spite of hardships in their lives. They created countless Ukiyo-e paintings.Among the Ukiyo-e works, the proportion ofYokai Ukiyo-e is actually not large. But they are still widely loved because of the painter's unrestrained imagination. Ukiyo-e painters put these supernatural creatures into their works, making them a unique landscape in the history of Japanese art. Such creatures even traveled through time and are still influencing the development of Japanese painting art today. This thesis paper explores the emergence and development of Yokai Ukiyo-e, and
deeply studies the artistic characteristics and creative value through the stories behind the picture. Understanding the folklore behind these Ukiyo-e paintings is more helpful for us to appreciate these creepy art Yokai Ukiyo-e is a unique form in the art history of Japan. During the transition period from Edo to Meiji, social turmoils frequently occurred and the values of people were constantly in conflicts. In this fast-changing era, painters maintained a calm observation of the world and painted under great pressure. Of these great painters, some died of depression and some survived in spite of hardships in their lives. They created countless Ukiyo-e paintings.Among the Ukiyo-e works, the proportion ofYokai Ukiyo-e
is actually not large. But they are still widely loved because of the painter's unrestrained imagination. Ukiyo-e painters put these supernatural creatures into their works, making them a unique landscape in the history of Japanese art. Such creatures even traveled through time and are still influencing the development of Japanese painting art today. This thesis paper explores the emergence and development of Yokai Ukiyo-e, and deeply studies the artistic characteristics and creative value through the stories behind the picture. Understanding the folklore behind these Ukiyo-e paintings is more helpful for us to appreciate these creepy art works.

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