EVISEN UKIYO-E

Meaning ‘Pictures of the Floating World’ Ukiyo-e refers to a style of woodblock printing and painting from the Edo period (17th and 19th Centuries) that depicted the licensed brothel and theatre districts of Japan's big cities. 

The 'floating world' was inhabited by beautiful courtesans and Kabuki actors. The images featured city life, erotic scenes, battles with monsters, and travel in romantic landscapes.

Despite their low status in the strict social hierarchy of the period, actors and courtesans were seen as style icons, and their fashions spread to the masses via these inexpensive woodblock prints.