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Portland Japanese Garden presents “Ukiyo-e to Shin Hanga: Changing Tastes in Japanese Woodblock Prints”

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PORTLAND, Ore. — November 15, 2021 — Portland Japanese Garden presents its final art exhibition of the year, “Ukiyo-e to Shin Hanga: Changing Tastes in Japanese Woodblock Prints,” opening Saturday, November 20. The exhibition features two masters that created exquisitely rendered pieces toward the end of the Japanese woodblock print’s popularity in the 19th century and its revival in the early 20th century: Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) and Kawase Hasui (1883-1957).

Bandō Hikosaburō V, Sawamura Tosshō II and Nakamura Kanjaku III in The Great Thief of the Miyakodori Brothel, by Toyohara Kunichika (1873)
Bandō Hikosaburō V, Sawamura Tosshō II and Nakamura Kanjaku III in The Great Thief of the Miyakodori Brothel, by Toyohara Kunichika (1873)

The art of woodblock prints date back to the eighth century in Japan and were initially done in black and white. Ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” were an exceptionally popular genre of woodblock prints that used dazzling color and texture to depict glamorous women, daring heroes, and serene landscapes. Shin hanga, or “new prints,” refers to the resurgence of woodblock print popularity in the early 20th century.

These stunning works are from the collection of local Portland resident, Irwin Lavenberg. Lavenberg has one of the largest and most diverse private collections of Japanese woodblock prints in the United States.

“Snow at Heian Shrine, Kyoto” by Kawase Hasui (1948)
“Snow at Heian Shrine, Kyoto” by Kawase Hasui (1948)
More Information:
Hours and Admissions: 
  • Hours: 10:00am-4:30pm Wednesday – Monday, closed Tuesdays  
  • Adult Admission: $18.95  
  • Tickets can be purchased at tickets.japanesegarden.org 
Media Contacts:    

Will Lerner | 503-542-9351 | wlerner@japanesegarden.org

Han Oh | 503-542-9310| hanoh@japanesegarden.org     

About Portland Japanese Garden:  

Portland Japanese Garden is a nonprofit organization originally founded in 1963 as a place for cross-cultural understanding following World War II. A hallmark in the City of Portland, the Garden was founded on the ideals of peace and mutual understanding between peoples and cultures. Portland Japanese Garden is considered the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan and the foremost Japanese cultural organization in North America.