In Asian culture, woodblock prints were extremely popular options of art.  Today, you still find people around the world interested in this type of art, being unique, detailed, and beautifully colored.  One particular artist of woodblock prints is named Chikanobu.  While there are a number of interesting factors surrounding this artist, the most fascinating is his split personality, which resulted in varying styles of work. 

For starters, Chikanobu was known to create Kabuki theater triptychs.  Typically, these woodblock prints were designed using vibrant colors such as purple and red.  Included in these productions were various style figures that you would expect from the Utagawa School but little creativity or originality.  However, Chikanobu’s other genre was related to history, specifically during the late 19^th century.  Many of these pieces have become exceedingly popular to include “Snow, Moon, and Flowers”, and “Shin Bijin”. 

Different from the bold colors and dramatic depictions, Chikanobu created these historical pieces using softer colors and a specific design approach that clearly created something detailed and beautiful.  Regardless of the work done, Chikanobu used a special signature that was influenced by his amazing sense of style and his intense spirit.  Because Chikanobu chose to work outside limitations of the Kunichika School, his work was quite popular, allowing him to make a great living. 

Much of Chikanobu’s work consisted of triptychs of festivals and beautiful, palace women.  The one thing you would notice with this artist’s work is that unlike other artists from this same period, he chose to create large head women.  Typically, you would see Chikanobu taking traditional ideas and molding them with his own unique inspiration to create pieces like no one else.  Many say this man was torn between old and new Japanese cultures and traditions. 

However, the depths of his woodblock prints are one of the factors that set him apart from other artists.  In fact, many of Chikanobu’s pieces are said to have pushed new styles for Ukiyo-e.  His work is definitely complex and new.  Many times, Chikanobu would venture out to unknown areas, taking his keen sense of style and color to produce something special, something very mesmerizing.  Many of this artist’s pieces were misty, often featuring fluffy clouds or fading.  Again, this unique style was something refreshing. 

The one thing you would note immediately upon seeing Chikanobu’s woodblock prints is the ability to deepen fine points pertaining to Japanese history.  This dynamic approach and his self-awareness were two aspects of this artist that made him so incredibly successful.  Without doubt, Chikanobu’s work captures the attention of the viewer, as they marvel in the color and immense detailing.