I visited one of my favorite art galleries today and saw this wonderful exhibit. You can see a little of it too by clicking here!

Kogyo was not only an amazing artist. He was also a chronicler of the Japanese Noh theatre. Scenes, characters, props and costumes are all meticulously detailed in his prints. There are even some behind-the-scenes images that show the actors getting ready to go on stage. The prints have such a delicacy about them that it was hard to believe some of them weren't painted. The artist used gradient and wash effects that are unique to woodblock printmaking and this adds a brush-like texture that is simply ethereal.

Most Americans have at least heard of the Kabuki theatre even if they have never been to a performance. There are actually 3 different Japanese theatre, Kabuki, Noh, and Bunraku (puppets). Noh is the oldest and some say it is the oldest continuously performing type of theater in the world, since the 1500s.

Seeing this exhibit has got me started on two new interests: Japanese woodblock prints and Noh theatre! I hope to share what I learn by way of this journal.