Yakusha-e
役者絵
Actor prints depicting kabuki performers in their famous roles. The most popular genre of ukiyo-e, yakusha-e functioned as celebrity portraits, theatre advertisements, and collectible merchandise.
Related Terms
Yamato-e
大和絵
Classical Japanese painting traditions that developed from the Heian period, emphasizing native subjects and aesthetics as distinct from Chinese-influenced styles. Ukiyo-e inherited compositional elements from yamato-e, including seasonal imagery and narrative techniques.
Yoko-e
横絵
Horizontal-format prints, with the oban sheet turned sideways. This orientation was particularly effective for landscape compositions and was used extensively by Hokusai and Hiroshige.
Yoshitoshi
芳年
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892), the last great master of ukiyo-e, whose dramatic, often violent imagery bridged traditional woodblock printing and modern illustration. His 'One Hundred Aspects of the Moon' and 'New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts' remain celebrated masterpieces.