LOOKING WEST: Yokohama and Western Inspired Ukiyo-e Prints. During the years when ukiyo-e was flourishing, Japan had little contact with other countries. Completely closed to the outside world, except for the small port of Dejima, the Japanese woodblock print exclusively depicted Japan’s landscape and history as well as the culture of Japan’s wealthy merchant class. In July 1853, after two and a half centuries of isolation, Commodore Perry’s black ships steamed into Uraga Bay and finally opened the doors of Japan to the World. By March 1854 two ports were open to Western trade and Japan began the monumental task of modernization. Intoxicated by all that was modern from European architecture and steam locomotives to feathered bonnets and Western trousers the woodblock print artists designed prints which chronicled this extraordinary time in history. The Ronin Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of 45 of these exceptionally rare prints.
