Famous Ukiyo E Paintings: The Top 100

1830Woodblock printHokusai Museum

Primarily Prussian blue, white, and shades of grey. The print's impact can be seen in their own seascapes and landscapes, which often echoed Hokusai’s bold brushstrokes and evocative imagery.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

37 × 24 cmWoodblock printNakagawa-machi Bato Hiroshige Museum of Art, Nagasaki

The technical brilliance of this piece lies in Hiroshige’s command over the traditional ukiyo-e printing process. Through the use of natural pigments derived from minerals and plants, the artist achieves a texture that feels organic and alive.

Oil painting from $345 Print — from $42

1832Woodblock printBristol Museum - Art Gallery

“Carp in Water” exemplifies the hallmarks of Hokusai's signature nishiki-e style—a technique characterized by its bold use of color, intricate detail, and layered washes. The carp itself is rendered with a vibrant red hue, immediately drawing the viewer’s eye.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1831Woodblock print

Created in 1831, this woodblock print is part of Hokusai's renowned series "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji." The ukiyo-e style, characterized by its bold outlines, flat colors, and emphasis on natural subjects, showcases Hokusai's exceptional skill and artistic vision.

Detailsserene sky with deep blues and whitesdense forest at the base of the mountainvibrant red hue of Mount Fuji

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

37 × 25 cm1848Woodblock print

This series contains fifty-one designs, each accompanied by a biographical inscription detailing the character's role within the narrative. The print identifies the subject as Yata Gorôemon Suketake, a figure from the legendary tale of the Forty-Seven Ronin.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1814Woodblock printed; ink, color and metallic pigment on paperThe Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, Washington, D.C.

This image powerfully symbolizes fertility, abundance, and the transformative potential of connection. This technique allowed for vibrant colors and detailed textures, capturing the essence of Japanese aesthetics.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1834Sumi ink & washiThe Art Institute

A durable, absorbent paper essential for achieving the characteristic Ukiyo-e texture. In East Asian cultures, particularly in Japan and China, the crane represents longevity, happiness, good fortune, and imperial power.

Detailscrane symbolismmist

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1885–1892Woodblock print

This work belongs to his celebrated series, One Hundred Aspects of the Moon, also known as Tsuki hyakkei. In 1888, he also turned his attention to the female form in his series 32 Aspects of Women.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Woodblock print

Harunobu was born in Edo, Japan, in 1724 and continued to develop his distinct approach to woodblock printing until his death in 1770. The work is a significant example of the artist's technical precision.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

12 × 9 cm1882FrescoMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York

This arrangement reflects an oriental style, drawing from Japanese traditions to present a quiet, domestic moment. Created in 1882, this piece emerged during the transition between the Edo and Meiji periods in Japan.

Details

1834Woodblock print

The three fishing boats, dwarfed by the wave, represent humanity’s vulnerability in the face of nature's grandeur. In the background, Mount Fuji—a sacred symbol of Japan—appears small and distant, offering a point of stability amidst the turmoil.

Detailsspiral wavemt Fuji

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Woodblock print

The figures scattered throughout the composition—some resting, some trekking—represent the rhythmic pulse of human existence within the eternal cycle of nature.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

38 × 26 cm1845Woodblock printBujalance Collection

The composition is a masterclass in narrative layering. The artwork utilizes a sophisticated dual-structure characteristic of this atypical series. The themes of companionship, introspection, and the quiet beauty found in transition are universal.

Detailssplit composition with haikucartouche

Details

38 × 25 cm1794Woodblock printMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York

In the fleeting moments of the Edo period, few artists captured the raw, unbridled energy of human emotion as piercingly as Tōshūsai Sharaku. To behold this print is to encounter one of art history's greatest enigmas.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1857

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1853

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

37 × 25 cm1848–1850Full-color woodcut (nishiki-e)Hammer Museum, Los Angeles

Kuniyoshi skillfully juxtaposes this tranquil landscape with the tumultuous clash between two warring clans – the Tokugawa and Mito factions – vying for control during Japan's turbulent Edo Period.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

38 × 26 cm1835Ukiyo-e woodblock print

The dynamic composition, characteristic of Kuniyoshi's style, captures a moment of intense action. The giant carp itself holds significant cultural weight in Japan, often associated with prosperity, longevity, and good fortune.

Detailswomanchildgiant carp

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Woodblock print

The artistry of Hokusai lies in his ability to balance the ephemeral with the everlasting. The painting suggests a peaceful day spent outdoors in nature, evoking a sense of nostalgia and calm.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Woodblock print

The painting centers around a group of individuals enjoying themselves within the shadow of the 500 Rakan temples – a reference to Buddhist monks known for their wandering and meditation practices.

Detailsboatwater view

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Woodblock print

Kuniyoshi's skill lies in his ability to synthesize multiple influences. This meticulous attention to detail is characteristic of Kuniyoshi's work and exemplifies the highest standards of Ukiyo-e artistry.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1795

Oil painting from $195 Print — from $42

1795

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1848Woodblock print

Created around 1848, during Kuniyoshi’s most prolific period, this woodblock print captures a pivotal moment in the life of Benkei, the devoted disciple of the warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a figure steeped in folklore and revered for his unwavering loyalty and martial prowess.

Detailsbenkei figurewarriors

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Woodblock print

The artwork begins with a skilled artisan carving a detailed woodblock from cherry wood. The three women, dressed in elegant kimonos, represent a refined social class enjoying a tranquil evening.

Oil painting from $220 Print — from $42

1830Ink wash painting

Hokusai’s genius lies in capturing not just what was seen but also what felt like to inhabit that era—a palpable sense of refinement and quiet contemplation amidst the burgeoning pressures of Western influence.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1830Woodblock printTokyo National Museum

The image is executed with an astonishing level of detail, achieved through the painstaking process of ukiyo-e printing. Kuniyoshi's innovative approach to color, influenced perhaps by his exposure to Western landscape painting, adds another layer of sophistication to this work.

Detailsscrollfigurestext

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Experience 'The Kiss' by Suzuki Harunobu – a stunning ukiyo-e masterpiece showcasing intimacy & beauty.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Ink on paperMinneapolis Institute Arts

This piece almost certainly originated as a woodblock print, a technique deeply ingrained in Japanese artistic production during Hokusai’s lifetime. Research confirms this artwork was produced during the Edo period (1603–1868) and was created by a pupil of Hokusai himself.

Detailsukiyo-e style

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

The composition is dynamic; diagonal lines created by the falling rain and the sloped umbrellas convey movement and energy. The subtle gradations of tone achieved through meticulous carving and inking create a remarkable sense of depth and texture.

Detailsrainumbrellaspeople walking together

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1803

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

20 × 25 cm1851

Oil painting from $195 Print — from $42

1795Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

37 × 26 cm1848

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

36 × 26 cm1848

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

36 × 25 cm1848

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Unknown

The painting depicts precisely what its title suggests: two Japanese swords, or katana, presented on ornate stands. Despite its simplicity, ‘Swords On Stand’ possesses a quiet emotional resonance.

Detailscontrasting lengthscrossing compositiontwo swords on stands

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1830Painting

Produced sometime during Hokusai’s prolific output—likely around 1830—this artwork offers a glimpse into the artist’s evolving stylistic sensibilities as he moved beyond his celebrated woodblock prints to experiment with oil paints, marking a significant step in his artistic trajectory.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

36 × 23 cmWoodblock printNakagawa-machi Bato Hiroshige Museum of Art, Nagasaki

Technically, this print is a triumph of the ukiyo-e tradition. Hiroshige utilizes the unique capabilities of the woodblock medium to achieve a sophisticated atmospheric perspective.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1814

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Admire Goyo Hashiguchi’s ‘Lady In Grey Kimono,’ a stunning Ukiyo-e portrait of a Japanese woman.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Discover Katsushika Hokusai’s ‘Fifty-Three Stations,’ a stunning Ukiyo-e woodblock print capturing Edo period life.

Oil painting from $270 Print — from $42

Discover 'Assassin Prince' by tsukioka yoshitoshi – a dramatic Ukiyo-e woodblock print featuring a warrior & monstrous figure.

Oil painting from $195 Print — from $42

Capturing Edo-era craftsmanship & daily life in stunning detail.

Oil painting from $195 Print — from $42

1806

Admire 'Flowers' by Kitagawa Utamaro (1806), a serene ukiyo-e masterpiece featuring blossoms & a moonlit scene.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1808

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

231 × 80 cm1805

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Admire 'Man Behind a Sliding Door' by Suzuki Harunobu – a serene 18th-century Japanese print.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

76 × 36 cm1845Woodblock print (triptych)

The painting's structure itself contributes significantly to its impact. The choice of materials – thick, absorbent Japanese paper – was crucial to achieving the print's rich color saturation.

Detailswarriorskeleton

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

102.2 × 51.6 cm1749Woodblock print, ink, and paperMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The composition is a vertical arrangement centered on a Japanese woman seated upon a low stool. Produced during the Edo period, this work reflects the aesthetic principles of 18th-century Japan.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

38 × 26 cmGiclée print

The man’s posture suggests purpose, yet it is softened by the surrounding natural elements. Hokusai taught the world how to find the sublime in the everyday—the power in a wave, the poetry in a distant mountain range.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1803

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1794

Oil painting from $195 Print — from $42

1857

Oil painting from $270 Print — from $42

49 × 35 cmWoodblock printSaitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore

It is a window into the heart of Japan's Edo and Meiji periods, where the sacred ritual of sumo met the vibrant, everyday pulse of urban life. The technique employed here is a masterclass in the Sumo-e and Ukiyo-e traditions.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Woodblock print (ukiyo-e)RISD Museum, Providence

The print belongs to the shunga genre – erotic woodblock prints that were surprisingly popular during this time. The resulting prints are valued for their unique character, each bearing subtle variations that reflect the handmade nature of the process.

Detailskabuki actorsdynamic composition

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Woodblock print (cherry wood)

Ukiyo-e – Known for its stylized depictions of everyday life and landscapes, emphasizing emotion and atmosphere rather than precise realism. The child meticulously cleaning Hotei’s ear represents purification and the importance of humility.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1793Woodblock printTsutaya Jűzaburô (Kôshodô)

The print’s dynamic arrangement—characterized by overlapping figures and a shallow depth—reflects the conventions of ukiyo-e style. Artists deliberately flattened perspective to convey atmosphere and emotion, prioritizing narrative impact over strict realism.

Oil painting from $220 Print — from $42

1820

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1857

Oil painting from $220 Print — from $42

Admire Katsushika Hokusai’s ‘Chrysanthemum Spray,’ a serene woodblock print showcasing floral beauty & traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1795Woodblock printMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The composition brings us face-to-face with Segawa Tomisaburo II and Ichikawa Kurizo, locked in a pose that is both dramatic and tender. To possess or display a work by Sharaku is to hold a piece of art history’s greatest mysteries.

Detailsintimate poseornate clothing

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $445 Print — from $42

1827

Admire Katsushika Hokusai’s "Cherry Blossoms & Warbler." A stunning Ukiyo-e print showcasing delicate beauty, traditional Japanese art, and a serene composition.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Woodblock print

Hokusai's skill as a printmaker is evident in every aspect of Two Men Dining. Two Men Dining is a valuable addition to any art collection, representing a pivotal moment in Japanese artistic history.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1795Woodblock print, ink on paper

The color palette is intentionally restrained, relying on a sophisticated range of browns, tans, and deep blacks. Tōshūsai Sharaku’s career was as brief as it was brilliant, lasting only about ten months before he vanished from the historical record.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Explore Japanese art history & a unique visual narrative.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1794

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Discover "A Courtesan Wearing A Bathing Robe" by Suzuki Harunobu – a stunning example of Japanese ukiyo-e art.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1830Woodblock print

Kuniyoshi's work is firmly rooted in the “floating world” – a term used to describe the vibrant entertainment culture of Edo Japan, which encompassed everything from Kabuki theater to pleasure districts.

Detailsanimal dyeing scene

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

1860Ukiyo-e woodblock print

Kuniyoshi’s technical skill is immediately apparent in the bold lines and carefully constructed composition. Ensei’s posture is crucial to understanding the artwork's significance. The background of the print is far from merely decorative.

Detailsstrengthheavy beam

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Discover Suzuki Harunobu’s ‘Potted Chrysanthemums And Full Moon,’ a delicate monochrome drawing showcasing exquisite floral still life & intricate metalwork.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Exquisite ukiyo-e print by Suzuki Harunobu depicting Kaga no Chiyo.

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

The scene centers on two figures seated directly on the ground before a vibrant red building – likely a teahouse or modest residence. One man is absorbed in reading, his posture suggesting deep concentration.

Detailsbooksred building in backgroundhandbag

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42

Oil painting from $170 Print — from $42