Book Review: Once more unto the breach: Samurai Warriors and Heroes in Ukiyo-e Masterpieces

This is a wonderful collection of Ukiyo-e art that go with Japanese history, stories, folklore and legend. Ukiyo-e art came from the Edo period (1603 to 1867) of Japan. Ukiyo-e were mostly woodblock prints.

The artworks are much better than I expected. There's dynamism, lots of details and plenty of action as there are lots of fight scenes. There's so much detail (line art, textures, colours) with the art that it's difficult for me to imagine them as woodblock prints. All the artworks are hand drawn and painted so there's this very tactile and traditional look. The Ukiyo-e style is also really recognisable.

The artists featured in this book are:

1. Katsushika Hokusai
2. Katsukawa Shuntei
3. Utagawa Kunisada
4. Utagawa Sadahide
5. Toyohara Kunichika
6. Utagawa Hiroshige
7. Utagawa Kuniyoshi
8. Utagawa Yoshitsuya
9. Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
10. Yosai Nobukazu
11. Utagawa Toyonobu
12. Jusoso Tadakiyo
13. Utagawa Yoshimori
14. Kosai Kyochi

There's quite a bit to read as well as all the artworks are accompanied with stories.

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This book was borrowed from Basheer Graphic Books for review purposes. You can order the book from them. Check with Basheer on Facebook.

Once more unto the breach: Samurai Warriors and Heroes in Ukiyo-e Masterpieces is available at Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | ES | AU | JP | CN)

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This book was borrowed from Basheer Graphic Books for review purposes. You can order the book from them. Check with Basheer on Facebook.