Asian landscape paintings are traditionally displayed and viewed during ceremonial tea parties, hung on walls to immerse guests in natural scenery. Afterward, the paintings are rolled up and stored in rosewood cabinets. Printmaking originated in China over 2,000 years ago and was later adopted in Japan and other Western countries. Woodblock printing involves carving images into wood blocks, inking the surfaces, and pressing them onto paper. This technique grew popular in 16th century Japan, and artists like Hokusai produced famous works, including The Great Wave of Kanagawa, which was widely appreciated in Europe for its freshness and simple style.

1. Group # 2

2. Aesthetic Function

3. Aesthetic Function
Asian landscape paintings are made
on rice paper. During ceremonial tea
parties, the family members sit in a
room surrounded by paintings
unrolled and hung on the walls, as if
they are sipping tea amidst the
grandeur of nature. After the tea
party, the paintings are rolled and
stored in rosewood cabinet.

4. Rosewood Cabinet

5. Printmaking

6. Printmaking
Printmaking is an old Chinese art and
has been in practice ever since they
discovered the process of paper
making in 200 B.C. This technology
was transferred to Japan and later
on, to other countries in the West.

7. Printmaking

8. Woodblock printing

9. Woodblock printing
Woodblock printing is the process of
making prints by carving images in
blocks of wood, inking the surface of
these blocks, and printing the image
on paper. This process was made
popular in Japan in the 16th century
B.C.

10. Woodblock printing
In Japan, Hokusai (1760-1849) was
the best known Japanese woodblock
printmaker under the Tokugawa
regime. His style became popular in
the West. His woodblock print, The
Great Wave of Kanagawa, became
the best known print outside Japan.
The freshness, color, and simple
lines of Hokusai’s work appealed
strongly to Europeans.

11. Hokusai (1760-1849)

12. The Great Wave of Kanagawa

13. Woodblock printing