Japanese Art Prints

Actor Kikugoro V in the role of Oniazami Seikichi, hanging from a bamboo upside down, depicted with plumed thistle tattoos. No. 6 from the series F...

The way cats wash their faces licking their paws and wiping their face - it is as if they are inviting good luck beckoning with their paw. Cats wit...

Woodpeckers are appreciated as a symbol of resourcefulness, flair and wisdom. Notorious builders, they awaken one's creativity and spiritual energy.

In Victorian times, the gloxinia flower representes 'a proud spirit'. They are very small in size, but stand out thanks to their vibrant colours. B...

Seagulls are often a symbol of freedom. By Watanabe Seitei (1851-1918), first traditional Japanese painter to travel to Europe in order to study We...

The 11th Century saw the rise of the samurai warrior class of Japan. Here, two warriors are shown entangled in a deadly sword fight. By Katsushika ...

One of the 108 heroes of the illustrated novel Suikoden which is said to have sparked the rise in popularity of tattoos in Japan during the 18th an...

Hiroshige is considered to be one of the greatest 19th century Japanese print artists. In 1856, Hiroshige “retired from the world”, and became a Bu...

Macaws are some of the biggest parrots. With their striking feathers, they represent unique flair, and the courage to keep rising high. From a wood...

Hiroshige is considered to be one of the greatest 19th century Japanese print artists. In 1856, Hiroshige “retired from the world”, and became a Bu...

In modern times called parakeet, this bird symbolises inner strength, quiet observation and a sweet disposition. From a woodblock print by the Japa...

Associated with loyalty and fidelity, the swallow represents everlasting care and affection towards family, friends and loved ones. From a woodbloc...

The parrot is symbolic of the ability to focus on goals with confidence, whilst reminding us to stay alert to see new ideas that may bring about gr...

The parrot is symbolic of the ability to focus on goals with confidence, whilst reminding us to stay alert to see new ideas that may bring about gr...

The pheasant has long been a symbol of good luck, regarded as a symbol of power and immortality in ancient Greek culture, whilst representing peace...

As a sturdy plant able to grow in the harshest environment, the ivy symbolises perennial life and immortality. By Japanese woodblock print artist O...

Ducks symbolise protection, adaptability, emotional strength and the gift of intuition. They represent the importance of living in the present mome...

The goldfish has also come to symbolise wealth in Chinese culture stemming from the fact that the Chinese word for fish (yú) is pronounced very sim...

It is said that a koi carp swims up rivers and climbs waterfalls. The Japanese associates koi carps with perseverance in adversity, strength of pur...

The world’s first full-length novel is said to be the Tale of Genji written by the Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu around 1000 A.D, who served...

Print from the series “Women of the Seven Houses” by Kikukawa Eizan (1787–1867) depicting the courtesan Ichikawa from the Matsubaya pleasure house....

The book “Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Pleasure Quarters” depicts the daytime activities of the courtesans such as reading, arranging flowers, ...

In the series “Beauties of the Yoshiwara as Six Floral Immortals”, the artist Chôbunsai Eishi compares each courtesan to a beautiful flower.

The 'Green Houses', or the pleasure houses, with the notable courtesans, became an integral part of Japanese life in the Edo period. “A Mirror of B...

The 'Green Houses', or the pleasure houses, with the notable courtesans, became an integral part of Japanese life in the Edo period. “A Mirror of B...

The 'Green Houses', or the pleasure houses, with the notable courtesans, became an integral part of Japanese life in the Edo period. “A Mirror of B...

The 'Green Houses', or the pleasure houses, with the notable courtesans, became an integral part of Japanese life in the Edo period. “A Mirror of B...

The 'Green Houses', or the pleasure houses, with the notable courtesans, became an integral part of Japanese life in the Edo period. “A Mirror of B...

Puppies are commonly associated to happiness, friendship, contentment and loyalty. Woodblock print by Kōno Bairei (1844-1895).

The Japanese word for monkey, “saru’” is a homonym for the Japanese word “expel” (also pronounced saru), meaning “dispel” or “push away”. This has ...

Books in Japan during the Edo period (1603–1867) were almost exclusively produced by woodblock printing, and printed on Japanese paper and side‐sti...

If a customer wished to see one of the high class “oiran” courtesans, they would first have to go via the “chaya” (tea house) who would act as medi...

Japanese brush painting from the Edo period attributed to Soga Nichokuan. Dragons first appear in Japanese literature dating as far back to 680 AD....

The goose never leaves one of its own kind behind. This auspicious animal is related to the virtue of cooperation, teamwork, and also the ability t...

These totem birds symbolise the arrival of a brighter future, whilst also representing love, faith, hope and loyalty. Image from a woodblock print ...

Ducks symbolise protection, adaptability, emotional strength and the gift of intuition. They represent the importance of living in the present mome...