In the late 19th and early 20th century, France developed an enduring passion for Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship. Not only did this interpretation of Japanese culture — which became known as Japonisme — infuse fresh energy into French art and design, but it also radically transformed how Europeans, and subsequently the world, would come to understand visual culture.
Until 1853, Japan had been closely guarded against foreign visitors for over two centuries. However, American Commodore Matthew C. Perry sailed into Japan that year and initiated the first of its treaties with the United States and Europe, thereby opening its borders and giving the West its first-ever look at Japanese design.
For the next few decades, taken with Japonisme, sophisticated collectors in Paris, New York and elsewhere gorged themselves on lacquered screens, celadon ceramics and netsuke ornaments, along with artworks depicting various aspects of Japanese life. The East Asian country’s influence on Europe, particularly France, contributed to one of the most creatively prosperous periods in history, leaving an imprint on the Impressionist, Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements, and inspiring artists like Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Vincent van Gogh as well as luxury houses such as Louis Vuitton and Hermès. Japonisme emerged at the time when the ornate Renaissance Revival style was the most prominent mode of decorating in Europe, and Japanese aesthetics seemed strikingly modern and elegant in comparison.
In addition to everyday practical objects from Japan, such as vases, tableware and decorative boxes, Japanese art, especially Japanese woodblock prints by masters of the ukiyo-e school, caught the eye of many artists — particularly those in the Art Nouveau poster community in 1880s Paris. The luscious organic colors associated with traditional Japanese design, motifs like cherry blossoms and carp and the vivid patterns found in woodblock prints, silks and more were adopted and appropriated by painters as well as ceramicists and those working in other fields of the decorative arts. Today, demand for Japanese lacquerware — furniture, trays, writing boxes, screens, incense burners — from the Edo period (1615–1868) and the late 19th century continues to be very strong among collectors.
Find a collection of antique Japonisme furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
3 Vintage Botanical Pictures, Japanese, Woodblock Print, After Hasegawa, Art
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a trio of vintage botanical pictures. A Japanese, framed woodblock print in the manner of Keika Hasegawa, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Hasegawa published woo...
Glass, Paper
Masao Ido — “Ayu no Yado Tsutaya” (鮎の宿 つたや) — limited edition woodblock print
Located in Weesp, NL
Importing Art into the United States is exempt from all U.S. tariffs but please, do check Masao Ido — “Ayu no Yado Tsutaya” (鮎の宿 つたや) — Limited Edition Woodblock Print, 154/200, Sig...
Wood, Paper
Pair of Japanese panels XIX e century Utagawa Toyokuni
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Japanese pieces XIX century Utagawa Toyokuni Two bijin-ga prints Kakémono sized Nishiki-e ink and colors on paper Circa 1840 Framed .
Paper
Pair of Original Antique Prints of Decorative Art- Japonisme. C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful prints of Decorative Art, mainly Japonisme Chromo-lithographs Published by W.Mackenzie. C.1880 Original colour Unframed. Free shipping.
Paper
Katsuyuki Nishijima — “Yuki Dayori” (Snowing) — Sōsaku-hanga woodblock print
Located in Weesp, NL
Import of Art into the US should be exempt from all U.S. import tariffs but please check. Katsuyuki Nishijima — “Yuki Dayori” (Snowing) — Sōsaku-hanga woodblock print, Kyoto street ...
Paper
Original Vintage Print by Edmund Dulac, C.1920
By Edmund Dulac
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image by Edmund Dulac Tipped in plate onto paper Lithograph. Published C.1930 The measurement given is the paper size not the actual coloured printed image. Free ship...
Paper
Original Vintage Print by Edmund Dulac, C.1920
By Edmund Dulac
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image by Edmund Dulac Tipped in plate onto paper Lithograph. Published C.1930 The measurement given is the paper size not the actual coloured printed image. Free ship...
Paper
Original Antique Prints of 19th Century Japanese Silk Panels, France, 1860
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful pair of prints of 19th Century Japanese silk panels Amazing illuminated gold lustre Lithographs Published by A.Morel, Paris, Fra...
Paper
Deep Green (深緑) — Katsuyuki Nishijima, Sōsaku-hanga woodblock print, Japan
Located in Weesp, NL
Deep Green (深緑) — Katsuyuki Nishijima, Sōsaku-hanga woodblock print, Japan, c. 1990s A study in architectural stillness, Deep Green (深緑) draws the eye into a layered world of overla...
Paper
Sanpuku (三伏) — Katsuyuki Nishijima, Sōsaku-hanga woodblock print, Kyoto, c. 1990
Located in Weesp, NL
Import of Art into the US should be exempt from all U.S. import tariffs but please check. Sanpuku (三伏) — Katsuyuki Nishijima, Sōsaku-hanga woodblock print, Kyoto, c. 1990s A master...
Paper
“Path to the Main Hall” — Masao Ido, original Japanese woodblock print, 1989
Located in Weesp, NL
Importing Art into the United States is exempt from all U.S. tariffs but please, do check “Path to the Main Hall” — Masao Ido, original Japanese woodblock print, 1989, edition 145/1...
Acrylic, Wood, Paper
Ryōgen-in Garden Kyoto by Masao Ido
Located in Weesp, NL
Traditional 1986 Japanese wood block print of one of the 5 gardens of the Ryōgen-in, a sub temple of the Daitoku-ji Buddhist complex, located in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan, constructed in 1502. Signed and numbered 126/150 in pencil by the artist. Measurements wooden frame : W.48 x H.63 x D.3 cm. The print will be shipped insured overseas in a custom made wooden case. Cost of insured transport to the US, Euro 245, is case included. Colors may slightly vary due to photographic lighting sources or your monitor settings. Masao Ido...
Paper
Mount Gassan signed limited edition woodblock print by Ray Morimura
Located in Weesp, NL
Import of Art into the US should be exempt from all U.S. import tariffs but please check. Ray Morimura — Gassan (Mount Gassan), 1998 — signed limited edition multi-color woodblock P...
Acrylic, Paper
Original Antique Print of Japanese Cloisonne Enamels, Dated 1876
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of cloisonne enamels Chromo-lithograph after A. Willms Published by Sutton Sharpe & Co. 1876 Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using y...
Paper
'Rape Blossoms" traditional Japanese woodblock print by Masao Ido
Located in Weesp, NL
Masao Ido (1945–2016) “Rape Blossoms” (油菜の花, Nanohana / Rape Blossoms) Signed and numbered by the artist, lower margin Hand-printed woodblock print on fine Japanese washi paper I...
Paper
Original Framed Exhibition Poster - Japanese Screen Paintings, 1979
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage rare original exhibition poster features a detail from Kachoga (bird and flower screen), Nagasaki School, ca. late 18th Century, from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Philip C...
Metal
Modern Japanese woodblock print 'Yooshoku' (evening colors) by Nishijima Katsuyu
Located in Weesp, NL
Nishijima Katsuyuki “Yooshoku (Evening Colors)” Japanese Woodblock Print This elegant Japanese woodblock print, Yooshoku (Evening Colors), captures the quiet poetry of dusk settli...
Paper
'Kumotatsu' contemporary Japanese woodblock print by Nishijima Katsuyuki
Located in Weesp, NL
Japanese prints, Art, are exempt from all U.S. import tariffs but please, do check. 'Kumotatsu' contemporary Japanese woodblock print by Nishijima Katsuyuki This exquisite contempo...
Paper
Koyoto Sanjusangendo Temple Stamp Goshuln Framed Antique
Located in San Diego, CA
Koyoto Sanjusangendo Temple Stamp Goshuln Framed Antique print original frame .
Glass, Paper
Bridge in the Valley — limited edition Japanese woodblock print by Fujita Fumio
Located in Weesp, NL
Import of Art into the US should be exempt from all U.S. import tariffs but please check. This exceptional 1985 Japanese woodblock print, Bridge in the Valley, by Fujita Fumio...
Paper
Japan Kabuki Actors Orig Vintage Print by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) Framed
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Duputich, Kabuki actors Circa, 1865 Artist: Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) Publisher : Izutsu-ya Obtained this beautiful vintage hand printed scene of Japanese Kabuki actors fr...
Paper
Original Antique Print of Japanese Cloisonne Enamels, Dated 1876
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of cloisonne enamels Chromo-lithograph after A. Willms Published by Sutton Sharpe & Co. 1876 Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using y...
Paper
$1,695
H 27.5 in W 21.25 in D 1 in
Kiyoshi Saitō Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print of Temple, 1965
Located in Studio City, CA
A precisely composed, darkly hued woodblock print by famed Japanese printmaker Kiyoshi Saito. Many consider Saito to be one of the most important, if not the most important, contempo...
Paper
$1,795
H 29 in W 27 in D 0.75 in
Yoshitoshi Mori Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Stencil Print, 1969
Located in Studio City, CA
A large, earthly toned, dramatically composed print, with just the right touch of humor, is by Japanese master printmaker Yoshitoshi Mori who was famed ...
Paper
$288Sale Price|36% Off
H 28 in W 22 in D 1 in
Original Vintage Custom Botanical Fern Prints with Makers Stamp
Located in Essex, MA
Filix Mas Filix Foemina " Athyrium filix-femina, the lady fern or common lady-fern, is a large, feathery species of fern native throughout most of the temperate Northern Hemisphe...
Paper
Original Vintage Custom Botanical Fern Prints with Makers Stamp
Located in Essex, MA
Andr. Matthioli Comm. Trichomanes Fern print Trichomanes is a genus of ferns in the family Hymenophyllaceae, termed bristle ferns. Gold frame with iv...
Paper
Limited Edition Untitled Woodblock Print by Margaret Wenstrup '1958'
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An untitled abstract woodblock print by Margaret Wenstrup (1930-2008) dated 1958. Wenstrup was a well-known Cincinnati, OH artist who graduated from ...
Paper
Original Vintage Custom Botanical Fern Prints with Makers Stamp
Located in Essex, MA
Andr. Matthioli Comm. Polypodium Alterum Fern print In gold frame with ivory mat Measures 22 W x 28 H x 1 D.
Paper
$1,595
H 31 in W 25 in D 1.5 in
Junichiro Sekino Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print Girl in Kimono
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully composed and colored, limited edition woodblock print by famed Japanese artist Junichiro Sekino. This print, which is titled "Profile/ Portrait of Young Girl in Kimono", is signed and sealed/ stamped in red at the lower right. It was created in 1957 and comes from a limited edition of 100 prints (the exact number of this particular print is likely listed in pencil below the matt but we have not removed the print from the frame to confirm the exact number). An exquisite and rare/hard-to-find work. The detail in the girl's kimono is quite beautiful. Junichiro Sekino was largely considered, along with Kiyoshi Saito, to be one of Japan's paramount 20th-century master print artists. Both were prominent leaders of the Sosaku Hanga movement. Sekino's works can be found in many museums including: The Museum of Modern Art, N. Y., the Art Institute Chicago, the Museum of Fine Art, Boston, the British Museum, and the Portland Art Museum among many other Fine museums throughout the world. A version of this image can be found in the Harvard Art...
Wood, Paper
$2,495
H 21.25 in W 31.5 in D 1 in
Clifton Karhu Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print "Kamigano"
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, large woodblock print by American master printmaker Clifton Karhu who lived in Japan for over 50 years. Karhu's work gained great e...
Paper
$2,000Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 25.5 in W 21.5 in D 3 in
Pair framed vintage print of drawings by Diego Rivera
By Diego Rivera
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of vintage prints of Diego Rivera's drawings of indigenous Mexican children. Framed on linen board in a pair of period frame. In print sign...
Wood, Paper
2 Japanese Tokuriki Asada Pagoda Temple Moonlight Woodblock Prints 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of mid 20th century Japanese woodblock prints - "The Courtyard of the Heian Shrine in Kyoto" by Tomikichiro Tokuriki and "Kiyomizu Temple in Moonlight" by Benji Asada...
Paper
$325
H 10.12 in W 7.88 in D 0.02 in
Original Antique Print of Various Seashells by G.W. Knorr, ca.1770
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Ex Museo Schadeloockiano'. Beautiful original antique print of various sea shells. This print originates from 'Verlustiging der oogen en van den geest; of Verza...
Paper
Sold
H 19.25 in W 13.5 in D 0.5 in
Japanese Woodblock Print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi — Koman Crossing Lake Biwa, c.1850
Located in San Carlos, CA
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798–1861) “Ōtsu: Koman Crossing Lake Biwa” from The 69 Stations of the Kisokaidō (Kiso Kaidō) series Japan, circa 1850s Medium: Woodblock print on paper Period:...
Wood, Paper
Hiroji Kubota "Cormorant Fishing" C-Print
Located in Astoria, NY
Hiroji Kubota (Japanese, b. 1939), "Cormorant Fishing in Drizzle, Guilin", Chromogenic Print, pencil signed lower right, International Center for Photography documentation to verso. ...
Paper
Sold
H 5 in W 10.25 in D 9 in
Set of six framed Japanese Genji story woodblock prints, early 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A set of six Japanese Genji story uchida woodblock prints, Kyoto early 20th century. Framed - probably late 20th century - in gold-tinted metal, matted in chocolate, ivory, and wheat...
Metal
Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese Woodblock on Paper
Located in Astoria, NY
After Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797-1858), "Shima Province: Mount Hiyori and Toba Harbor", Woodblock on Paper, 1853, from the "Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces" series, wh...
Wood, Paint, Paper
Ryuji Kosaka Buddha Woodblock Print, Japan, Signed, Numbered, 1963
Located in Brooklyn, NY
R Kosaka Japanese woodblock print. "Buddha". Stunning graphic image. Shokannon. Signed; dated (1963), numbered (edition of 50). Dimensions: H: 17.25 inches: W: 11.5 inches.
Paper
Sold
H 24.5 in W 18.25 in D 0.75 in
Pair of 19th C. Oriental Shunga Drawings, 'Loving Couple' Signed & Dated
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Finely Framed 19th C. Oriental Shunga Drawings, 'Loving Couple' Signed & Dated A wonderfully decorative pair of finely framed and matted drawings of a man and woman locked in...
Giltwood, Paper
Japan Woodblock Print After Sakai Hoitsu, 1920s
By Sakai Hoitsu
Located in Den Haag, NL
For sale four original woodblock prints 1920 /30 after Sakai Hoitsu 1761- 1823 Great looking set, looks like 3D. Perfect Framing. UV protecting Glass.
Paper
Sold
H 18.71 in W 13.98 in D 0.6 in
Four Japanese Migita Toshihide 1863-1925 Wood Block Print Portraits of Sansho
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this suite of four original 19th century Master Migita Toshihide (1863-1925) Portraits of Sansho (Ichikawa Danjuro IX) Japanese signed wood block p...
Wood, Paper
Important Pair of Panels Japan, Meiji Period '1868-1912'
Located in Madrid, ES
Important pair of panels Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912), in lacquered and gilded wood, with applications in bone and mother-of-pearl, representing b...
Lacquer
Aki Miyajima Tsuchiya Koitsu Woodblock Print
By Koitsu
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Aki Miyajima Tsuchiya Koitsu, (1870-1949) Woodblock print. Signed Koitsu and sealed Shin, l.r. Publisher: Doi Sadaichi Sheet size: 15 1/2" x 7...
Paper
"Retour d'un Banquet" Japanese Woodblock Print by Paul Jacoulet
Located in San Diego, CA
"Retour d'un Banquet, Coree Seoul (After the Banquet, Soul, Korea) Japanese woodblock print by French artist Paul Jacoulet, circa 1951. Limited edition of 350 with fewer than 250 imp...
Paper
Sold
H 13.5 in W 10.5 in D 0.5 in
Set of 24 Antique Botanical Prints ( Orchids ) in Ebonized Faux Bamboo Frames
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of 24 prints of the many species of orchids Lithographs after the original drawings by Hooker. Original color. Published, circa 1850 Presented in our own cu...
Paper