Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum

The Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum

The Osaka audio-guided tour presents you with the discreet Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum, which houses, behind its narrow façade typical of traditional houses, a collection unique in the world of prints from the Kamigata region, around Osaka and Kyoto.

The prints of kabuki theatre

Ukiyo-e prints are images printed from wooden boards. Unlike the ukiyo-e of Tokyo, which often depict landscapes or female beauties, the works presented here concentrate on the world of theatre, in particular kabuki. Most represent famous actors of the nineteenth century, frozen in their roles, with a remarkable sense of detail in the costumes and the expressions. These images served then as posters and magazines, allowing the public to follow the career of their favourite actors.

What there is to see

Going through the floors, one discovers how these prints were made by xylography, which consists of engraving a wooden board for each colour before printing by superposition. The top floor presents the tools of the craftsmen, and a small workshop even allows one to print an engraving oneself. It is a playful and instructive immersion into an art typical of Osaka and Japan.

Practical information

The Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum is in the Dōtonbori district, in Osaka. Admission is charged. It can generally be visited according to hours that may vary depending on the season; it is advisable to check the conditions of access before the visit.

What prints does the Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum present?

Ukiyo-e prints from the Kamigata region, devoted above all to kabuki theatre and to famous actors of the nineteenth century.

What is xylography?

A printing technique that consists of engraving a wooden board for each colour, then printing the image by superposition.