Japanese Prints

This fragment of 19th century woodblock print depicts brewing of soy sauce at Noda factory, located East of Edo. The Japanese soy sauce was exported to Europe as early as the 17th century.

Approximately 14 local ukiyo-e enthusiasts from San Mateo area are holding an Exhibition of Japanese Prints in the Kobayashi Ventures Hall in Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, running from Monday September 10 to Friday September 21.

Most of the exhibited japanese prints are works of Hiroshige, Harunobu, Moronobu, Yoshitoshi and modern Japanese artists. A large selection of ukiyo-e representing different periods, genres and artists promises an exciting exhibition says organiser Shigeo Kobayashi who has been collecting Japanese prints for thirty years now.

The launch of this exhibition will take place on Monday September 10 at 21.00 pm with a sushi buffet reception.

A man who would follow the world must first of all be a judge of moods, for untimely speeches will offend the ears and hurt the feelings of others, and so fail in their purpose. He has to beware of such occasions.

But falling sick, and bearing children, and dying - these things alone take no account of moods. They do not cease because they are untimely. The shifting change of birth, life, sickness and death, the real great matters, is like the surging flow of a fierce torrent. It delays not for an instant, but straightway pursues its course.

And so, for both priest and layman, there must be no talk of moods in things they must needs accomplish. They must be free from this care and that, they must not let their feet linger.

It does not turn to summer after spring has closed, nor does the fall come when the summer ends. The spring betimes puts on a summer air, already in the summer is the fall abroad, and anon the fall grows cold. In the tenth month comes a brief space of spring weather. Grass grows green, plum blossoms bud. So with the falling of leaves from the trees. It is not that the trees bud once the leaves have fallen, but, because they are budding from beneath, the leaves unable to withstand the strain perforce must fall. An onward-urging influence is at work within, so that stage presses on stage with exceeding haste.

This again is exceeded by the changes of birth, age, sickness and death. The four seasons have still an appointed order. The hour of death waits for no order. Death does not even come from the front. It is ever pressing on from behind. All men know of death, but they do not expect it of a sudden, and it comes upon them unawares. So, though the dry flats extend far out, anon the tide comes and floods the strand.

Twenty-eight murders with verse is Yoshitoshi’s series depicting horror and cruelty.

To download high resolution image, click here.

A certain person has said, that accomplishments in which skill is not attained by the age of fifty should be abandoned. Their zealous study will bring them to no goal. People cannot laugh at an old man, and for him to mix with the multitude is a pitiful and
unpleasant sight.

It is better altogether, and more seemly, to give up all tasks and be at leisure. He is of low understanding who spends a whole life irked by common worldly matters. If there is a thing you feel is desirable, then, though you may have it taught you, it is well to withdraw when once, knowing the substance thereof, you are no longer in darkness. But to withdraw without having had any desire from the first - that is best of all.