Japanese Woodblock Prints of Tsukioka Kogyo at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum

Bring a friend to the Lyman Allyn Art Museum and enjoy discovering the costumes, props, vibrant color, subtle backgrounds, and intricate details of Japanese culture from a century ago. Artist Tsukioka Kogyo (1869-1927) specialized in woodblock prints depicting the classical Japanese art form of Noh Theatre. Originally enjoyed by society's elites, Japan's middle class embraced Noh Theatre in the late 19th century. Noh Theatre is a traditional form of musical theatre that could have faded away if not for the help of visual artists like Kogyo who helped popularize and preserve the art form.

Kumasaka the Robber, 1897 from Nogaku Hyakuban (One Hundred Noh Dramas)

Mii-dera Temple, 1899 from Nogaku Zue (Pictures of Noh) 

The Prince Semimaru, 1897 Pictures of Noh

This traveling exhibit is from the collection of Richard J. and Mae J. Smethurst, both professors emerita at the University of Pittsburgh, and was organized by independent curator Annemarie Sawkins, Ph.D. Over 50 Japanese color woodblock prints and several masks explore the history, stories, and costumes of Japanese Noh theater.  Kōgyo’s many paintings were translated into a series of woodblock prints, including Pictures of Noh (1897–1902), One Hundred Noh Dramas (1922–1926), and Encyclopedia of Noh plays, (1925–1930).

Nue (The Fabulous Bird) from Nogaku Hyakuban

Ominameshi (Maiden Flower) from Nogaku Zue

Kappo from Nogaku Zue

The exhibit runs from June 16- October 14, 2018 at The Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, CT.

Laura S. Pringle is the author of The Pringle Plan, a series of educational guides. 

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