Shini-e
死絵
Memorial prints produced to commemorate the death of a famous person, particularly kabuki actors. These prints typically featured a portrait alongside poems of tribute and information about funeral arrangements.
Related Terms
Sabi
寂
An aesthetic concept embracing the beauty of imperfection, transience, and the patina of age. While more associated with ceramics and gardens, sabi influenced the appreciation of subtle, atmospheric effects in prints.
Sanmaitsuzuki
三枚続
A triptych—three sheets designed as a continuous composition. Triptychs allowed artists to create panoramic landscapes, multi-figure scenes, and dramatic battle compositions on a grand scale.
Seal
印
Red stamps appearing on prints that identify the artist, publisher, carver, and (in later periods) censor. Reading seals is essential for authentication, dating, and understanding a print's production history.