If You Like Japanese Prints,

looking at nature and the supernatural,

this is the exhibition for you, above Utagawa Hiroshige, “Cherry Blossom Viewing at Mount Goten” (c.1832–1855), the new exhibition is at Japan House, Los Angeles, titled, “Nature/Supernature – Visions of this World and Beyond in Japanese Woodblock Prints.”

Inume Pass, Kōshū from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji series by Katsushika Hokusai, c. 1829, from the blurb,

An appreciation of the natural landscape features prominently in the woodblock prints of the Edo (1603-1868) and Meiji (1868-1912) periods, this artistic genre was patronized by ordinary people and depicted beloved characters and places in popular culture, theatre and literature. By the 19th century, many prints featured views of people interacting with the natural landscape, such as picnics under cherry blossoms or moon-viewing gatherings. Views of regional beauty spots and famous temples and shrines encouraged people to travel – or at least to dream of travel. Artists also turned their attention to images of spiritual beings and supernatural creatures from mythology, folklore and legend. These include benign deities, mischievous nature spirits, shape-shifting animals, ghosts and demons.

above, Famous Sights of Nikkō: Hannya and Hōtō Waterfalls by Yōshū Chikanobu, 1891, but the exhibition is not just about the final product, if you visit the link there is a full run down on the wood blocks,

 and how they were made, with a view of the printing process, grab a coffee, the video above I found so fascinating.