Ukiyo-e

Ukiyo-e is a Japanese art genre that flourished during the Edo period (1603–1868), featuring woodblock prints and paintings depicting scenes of urban life, nature, kabuki actors, and landscapes. The term **"ukiyo-e"** translates to "pictures of the floating world," reflecting the fleeting pleasures of Edo society. Artists like **Hokusai** (*The Great Wave off Kanagawa*) and **Hiroshige** (*The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō*) mastered bold compositions, fine details, and vibrant colors. Ukiyo-e influenced Western art, particularly **Impressionism** and **Art Nouveau**, shaping modern aesthetics with its stylized forms and perspective techniques.