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The Period of Unification: Toyo Illustrated Editions

Charles Dickens

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Published in Famous Samurai: The Period Of Unification (TOYO Illustrated Editions)

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The Period of Unification, also known as the Three Kingdoms Period, was a tumultuous time in Japanese history. This period, which lasted from 1568 to 1615, saw the rise and fall of several powerful clans, as well as the eventual unification of Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate.

Famous Samurai: The Period of Unification (TOYO Illustrated Editions)

by William De Lange

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	34704 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	122 pages

The Toyo Illustrated Editions are a series of woodblock prints that depict the events of the Period of Unification. These prints were created by the artist Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769-1825) and published between 1829 and 1833. The prints are known for their vivid colors and dramatic compositions, and they provide a valuable visual record of this important period in Japanese history.

The Artists

The Toyo Illustrated Editions were created by a team of artists, including Utagawa Toyokuni I, Utagawa Kunisada I (1786-1864),and Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858). Toyokuni was the most famous artist of the group, and he is credited with designing the majority of the prints in the series. Kunisada and Hiroshige were both talented artists in their own right, and they contributed a number of important prints to the series.

The artists of the Toyo Illustrated Editions drew their inspiration from a variety of sources, including historical texts, popular novels, and kabuki theater. They also incorporated elements of Western art into their work, such as the use of perspective and chiaroscuro. The resulting prints are a unique and fascinating blend of traditional Japanese and Western artistic styles.

The Prints

The Toyo Illustrated Editions consist of 76 prints, each of which depicts a different event from the Period of Unification. The prints are divided into three volumes, each of which covers a different period of the war. The first volume covers the early years of the war, from 1568 to 1573. The second volume covers the middle years of the war, from 1573 to 1582. The third volume covers the later years of the war, from 1582 to 1615.

The prints in the Toyo Illustrated Editions are all full-color woodblock prints. The prints are typically large, measuring approximately 14 inches by 10 inches. The prints are printed on high-quality paper, and they are known for their vivid colors and sharp details.

The Legacy

The Toyo Illustrated Editions are considered to be one of the most important series of woodblock prints from the Edo period. The prints provide a valuable visual record of the Period of Unification, and they are a testament to the skills of the artists who created them. The prints are also highly prized by collectors, and they can fetch high prices at auction.

The Toyo Illustrated Editions have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world. The prints have also been reproduced in numerous publications, and they have been used to illustrate books and articles about the Period of Unification. The prints continue to be a popular and enduring source of fascination for people interested in Japanese history and art.