Urushi-e
漆絵
Prints incorporating lacquer (urushi) or glue mixed with black ink to create glossy, raised surfaces that simulated lacquerware. This technique added dimension and luxury to hand-colored prints of the 1720s-1740s.
Related Terms
Uchikake
打掛
A heavily padded outer kimono worn by brides and high-ranking courtesans, often featuring elaborate embroidered or woven designs. In prints, the uchikake's rich patterns allowed artists to display their skill in textile rendering.
Ukiyo
浮世
The 'floating world' of Edo-period urban entertainment—the theaters, teahouses, and pleasure quarters where life was devoted to pleasure and aesthetic pursuits. Originally a Buddhist term for the transient, sorrowful world, it was transformed into a celebration of earthly pleasures.
Ukiyo-e
浮世絵
Pictures of the floating world: the vibrant art form depicting the entertainment culture of Edo-period Japan. Encompassing prints, paintings, and illustrated books, ukiyo-e captured actors, courtesans, landscapes, warriors, and the pleasures of urban life from the 17th through 19th centuries.