Japanese Gallery Kensington

As autumn colours deepen across Japan, many people head into the mountains for momijigari, the traditional pleasure of admiring the changing leaves. But not every autumn encounter is as peaceful as it seems. According to Japanese legend, the warrior Taira no Koremochi encountered a beautiful woman while enjoying the autumn scenery of Mount Togakushi. Yet she was no ordinary woman. She was a demon in disguise. Realising the danger just in time, Koremochi drew his sword and fought off the terrifying creature. In this striking woodblock print from 1879, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi brings the legendary battle to life through a dramatic composition of swirling autumn leaves. -- ◆Highlight Item Artist: Yoshitoshi Tsukioka (1839-1892) Title: Taira no Koremochi Fights Kijo, the Demon of Mt. Togakushi Series: Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan -- #yoshitoshi #yoshitoshitsukioka #ukiyoe #japaneseart #japaneseculture

Tonight, Britain celebrates Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, with fireworks illuminating the autumn sky and bonfires glowing across the country. In Japan, however, fireworks, known as hanabi, have long been a cherished tradition of summer. For centuries, people have gathered along riversides and aboard boats to enjoy the evening breeze and admire the fireworks illuminating the sky. This beautiful triptych by Toyohara Kunichika captures the lively atmosphere of summer festivities at Ryōgoku, with elegantly dressed women enjoying the fireworks from boats along the Sumida River. Different seasons, different traditions, yet the same fleeting beauty of light against the night sky. -- ◆Highlight Item Artist: Kunichika Toyohara (1835-1900) Title: Fireworks at Ryogoku Publisher: Takekawa Seikichi Date: Late 19th century -- #bonfirenight #ukiyoe #hanabi #japaneseart #japaneseculture

Today, 3 November, Japan celebrates Bunka no Hi, Culture Day. Established in 1948, the holiday commemorates the creation of Japan’s Constitution two years earlier on 3 November 1946, honouring the values of freedom, peace and culture. To mark the occasion, we would like to share a beautiful woodblock portrait of a Kabuki actor, celebrating one of Japan’s most cherished traditional performing arts. Created around this period of great change, this print by Masamitsu Ota portrays the celebrated Kabuki actor Matsumoto Kōshirō VII as Benkei, capturing the power and elegance of his performance. A beautiful reminder of how Japan’s artistic traditions continue to be cherished and passed down through generations. -- ◆Highlight Item Artist: Masamitsu Ota (1892-1975) Title: No.5 Benkei of Matsumoto Koshiro VII Series: Aspects of the Showa Stage -- #ukiyoe #modernprint #shinhanga #kabuki #japaneseculture

Some legends never fade with time. This Halloween, discover the haunting tale of Ibaraki Dōji, a fearsome demon whose story has inspired generations of Japanese artists, from Tsukioka Yoshitoshi to Paul Binnie. A tale of deception, mystery, and a visitor who was not quite what they seemed.🎃 -- ◆Highlight Items Item 1: Artist: Yoshitoshi Tsukioka (1839-1892) Title: Watanabe no Tsuna cutting off the Demon's Arm at Rashomon Item 2: Artist: Paul Binnie (1967 -) Title: Yoshitoshi's Ghosts -- #Halloween #JapaneseFolklore #TsukiokaYoshitoshi #Ukiyoe #JapaneseArt

Halloween, the time of year when the boundaries between our world and the unknown begin to blur, and mythical spirits are filled. 🎃 Messengers from the Moon have come to take the princess back, leaving the elderly bamboo cutter and his wife, who raised her as their own daughter, heartbroken and begging her to stay. This dramatic scene, depicted by Yoshitoshi Tsukioka comes from “The tale of the bamboo cutter”. The oldest tale in Japan from late 9th century with no trace of the original author. Passed down through generations, the tale continues to be one of the most influential story in Japanese literature. ◦ Artist: Yoshitoshi Tsukioka (139-1892) Title: Received Back into Moon Palace #ukiyoe #yoshitoshi #moon #japaneseart #japaneseculture

Why are there 46 prints in Hokusai’s 36 Views of Mount Fuji? The original 36 designs became so popular that ten more were added, bringing the series to 46 prints in total. So why was it such a success? One reason was colour. Many of the early designs made striking use of Prussian blue, a relatively new imported pigment that had become highly fashionable in Japan. Another was Mount Fuji itself. In Edo-period Japan, Fuji was not simply a beautiful mountain, but an important object of religious and cultural devotion. Yet Hokusai rarely treated Fuji in the same way twice. In Musashi Senju, the mountain appears quietly in the distance beyond a farmer, his horse and two men fishing near the Motojuku Weir. Fuji may be small in the composition, but once you notice it, the whole image changes. Everyday life unfolds in the foreground, while the mountain remains still and unmistakable in the distance. That contrast is part of what makes Hokusai’s Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji so compelling: Fuji is always there, but never quite the same. Today we’re sharing Musashi Senju from this celebrated series. -- ◆Highlight Item Artist: Katsushika Hokusai (1760 - 1849) Title: Musashi Senju Series: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji Publisher: Nishimuraya Yohachi Date: circa 1829-1833 Size: 37.2 x 24.4 cm -- #hokusai #katsushikahokusai #36viewsofmountfuji #ukiyoe #japaneseprint

Over 2 metres tall, fierce-tempered and famed for his extraordinary skill with the bow, Minamoto no Tametomo was known as Chinzei Hachiro. Disowned by his father at 13 and sent to Kyushu, he is said to have brought much of the region under his control within just 3 years. During the Hōgen Rebellion, one of his arrows reportedly passed through a warrior and struck the armour of another behind him. Later exiled to Izu Ōshima, Tametomo’s legend only grew: when a fleet was sent against him, a single arrow was said to have pierced and sunk one of the ships. More legend than man. -- Artist: Katsukawa Shuntei (?-1824) Title: Portrait of Warrior Chinzei Hachiro Tametomo -- #samurai #ukiyoe #japaneseart #japaneseprint #warriorprint

Paul Binnie’s Autumn, from his The Four Seasons series, captures the quiet atmosphere of autumn in Japan. Against a soft background of falling maple leaves, large red spider lilies flow down the sleeves of the kimono, gently drawing the eye through the composition and enhancing the elegance of the sitter. The classical kimono is paired with a modern hairstyle, giving the traditional bijin-ga format a subtle contemporary touch. -- Artist: Paul Binnie (1967-) Title: Aki (Autumn) A/P Series: The Four Seasons -- #paulbinnie #japaneseculture #ukiyoe #modernprint #japaneseart

We’re delighted to announce that Japanese Gallery will be returning to Japan Matsuri this year! One of the UK’s biggest celebrations of Japanese culture and food, Japan Matsuri returns to Trafalgar Square on Sunday 4 October. Come and visit us on the North Terrace, on the National Gallery side of Trafalgar Square, where we’ll be showcasing a wide selection of Japanese art, anime collectibles and traditional items. We look forward to seeing you there! 📅 Sunday 4 October ⏰ 10am–8pm 📍 Trafalgar Square 🏛️ National Gallery side @‌japan_matsuri #JapanMatsuri #JapaneseCulture #JapaneseArt #LondonEvents #TrafalgarSquare #JapaneseGallery

Our “Fine Japanese Art and Antiques Autumn Sale“ live auction takes place on 10th October. In the catalogue, you will find 300 lots of Japanese art and antique items including Japanese woodblock prints, original anime posters and production cels (cel-ga), various sets of cels and many more. The countdown has begun. View the full catalogue and register at JGAuction.com

50 warriors. 50 stories. One of Kuniyoshi’s great series of warrior prints. Created from 1848, Heroes of the Grand Pacification brings legendary warlords, strategists and warriors to life through bold portraits, dramatic settings and short biographies. Working under the restrictions of the Tokugawa shogunate, Kuniyoshi used altered names while giving each figure a distinctive identity and story. #ukiyoe #kuniyoshi #samurai #japaneseart #japaneseculture

Tsukimi is the Japanese autumn tradition of admiring the moon, especially the Chushu no Meigetsu, the harvest moon. In this triptych, Chikanobu Yoshu depicts high-ranking ladies enjoying a moon-viewing gathering, with susuki grass and tsukimi dango offered for the occasion. The round dango represent the full moon and are offered in gratitude for the autumn harvest, while susuki, resembling ears of rice, symbolise a good harvest and is traditionally believed to ward off evil. A beautiful glimpse into one of Japan’s most cherished autumn traditions. -- ◆Highlight Item Artist: Chikanobu Yoshu (1838-1912) Title: Moon Festival Series: Court Ladies of the Chiyoda Palace -- #ukiyoe #japaneseculture #moonvieing #japanesehistory #japaneseart

Tomorrow, 9 September, is Choyo no Sekku, one of Japan’s five traditional seasonal observances and a day closely associated with chrysanthemums. Chrysanthemums have long symbolised longevity and good fortune in Japan, and the occasion was traditionally marked by appreciating the flowers. This print, Chrysanthemums Viewing by Chikanobu Yoshu, depicts women of the Ōoku, the inner quarters of Edo Castle, enjoying chrysanthemums in bloom. A fitting scene for this elegant seasonal tradition. - Artist: Chikanobu Yoshu (1838-1912) Title: Chrysanthemums Viewing Series: Court Ladies of the Chiyoda Palace - #Ukiyoe #JapaneseArt #Chikanobu #Chrysanthemum #japaneseculture

From paper to skin. Kuniyoshi’s tattooed Suikoden heroes became hugely popular in Edo Japan, with their designs inspiring real tattoos and spreading across ukiyo-e, kabuki and tattoo culture. #Ukiyoe #japanesetattoo #samurai #irezumi #japaneseart – at Kensington, London

“Those who do not learn from yesterday, nor know what tomorrow may bring, may have only today to live.”, attributed to Yoshimoto Imagawa In 1560, Yoshimoto Imagawa led a powerful army into Owari, where he faced the much smaller forces of Nobunaga Oda. At Okehazama, heavy rain swept across the battlefield before Nobunaga’s forces reached Yoshimoto’s position. Yoshimoto fought back, but ultimately lost his life in the clash. Nearly three centuries later, Kuniyoshi Utagawa depicted his final moments in Night Rain at Narumi. Under driving rain, Yoshimoto makes his final stand. The verse inscribed above the scene also recalls the rain at Okehazama and Mōri, the warrior traditionally credited with ending Yoshimoto’s life. --- ◆Highlight Item Artist: Kuniyoshi Utagawa (1798-1861) Title: Night Rain at Narumi, Inagawa Yoshioto Series: Eight Views of Military Glory --- #samurai #katana #ukiyoe #japaneseart #japanesehistory

As September approaches, we look at the special place the moon has long held in Japanese culture. From tsukimi and the many names given to the moon, to Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s One Hundred Aspects of the Moon, its changing forms have inspired generations of Japanese artists. #ukiyoe #japaneseart #japaneseculture #moon #yoshitoshi – at Kensington, London

This triptych captures spring at Mount Arashi, where elegance and nature intertwine in classic ukiyo-e style. Created in 1862 by the joint brushes of Toyokuni III Utagawa and Hiroshige II Utagawa, this print is inspired by The Tale of Genji. It blends courtly romance with sweeping landscapes: flowing robes, delicate blossoms, and a serene springtime scene. Known as history's first novel, The Tale of Genji is a Japanese literature classic from the Heian period. The story revolves around Hikaru Genji, the son of the emperor. The Tale has 54 chapters which were often depicted in woodblock prints during the late Edo period. Artist: Toyokuni III Utagawa (1786-1865)/ Hiroshige II Utagawa (1826-1869) Title: Spring at Mount Arashi Series: Four Seasons of Genji by Joint Brushes Publisher: Fujiokaya Keijiro Date: 1862 Visit japanesegallery.com for more information on this print.