Ukiyoe EDO-LIFE (2018)
Centuries ago, Tokyo was known as Edo. More than a million people enjoyed life in this small but abundant city. They live on in ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Each episode is a deep dive into a single print, and an exploration of the soul of Old Tokyo. We examine works by artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige not just for their aesthetic and historical value, but for the stories they tell of everyday life. That is how the people of Edo themselves enjoyed this mass-produced medium.
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Ukiyoe EDO-LIFE
2018Seasons & Episode
A mother and daughter brave the rain to visit their local bathhouse, exchanging words with a young girl along the way. We learn that regular bathing was an essential part of life for the townspeople.
A group of kids have gathered to play a game where 100 ghost stories were shared as night slowly closed in. We find out that this chilling activity was actually about instilling important life skills.
Rugged cliffs and a river frame a picturesque view of Mt. Fuji at a popular sightseeing spot near the city center. A nearby bridge turns out to be an invaluable lifeline for the Edo townspeople.
Down along the Sumida River, boats travel to and fro transporting cargo. On the skyline beyond a curious structure towers over its surroundings, eerily resembling a modern-day Tokyo landmark.
Pilgrims have gathered on a beach along the Kanagawa coast, near Kamakura. Their destination is Enoshima, an island offering leisure, adventure, and spirituality. But first, they had to get across...
A full moon shines above a bustling neighborhood. Featured prominently are kabuki theaters...on hiatus. Still, people have come out to take in the nightlife, and hopefully a celebrity sighting or two.
We visit a store selling folding fans, where a young customer is having trouble making up his mind. The accessories were popular because the shape of the open fan symbolized increasing prosperity.
Centuries ago, Tokyo was known as Edo. More than a million people enjoyed life in this small but abundant city. They live on in ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Each episode is a deep dive into a single print, and an exploration of the soul of Old Tokyo. We examine works by artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige not just for their aesthetic and historical value, but for the stories they tell of everyday life. That is how the people of Edo themselves enjoyed this mass-produced medium.
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