“浮世”二字原为佛教用语,泛指大千世界林林总总的现象、人们眼见耳闻的社会百态。到了17世纪末,它被日本文人应用到美术方面,因此“浮世绘”三字便广为传播开来。版画浮世绘的首创者是一位叫菱川师宣的染织工匠。他除了描绘一些小说的插图,有的插图取材于歌舞伎表演中感人的爱情故事,但这种题材的木刻描绘与书籍的内容并无关系,只是一种促销手段。后来,菱川师宣将插图改为“单张”发售,除了爱情故事,还包括浓艳的艺伎美人。平民对偶像崇拜的需求,使木刻浮世绘版画在短时间蓬勃发展起来。一时间街头小贩、书店或剧场都在出售美女和役者(男演员)浮世绘,很像现在的明星挂历。 “Ukiyo-e,” the word used to be Buddhist terms, refers to the vast world of numerous phenomena, people see and hear the social conditions. By the end of the 17th century, it was applied to fine arts by Japanese writers, so the word “Ukiyo-e” was widely disseminated. Printmaking The first creator of ukiyo-e is a knitting artist called Hirosaki Shirakawa. In addition to portraying some novels, some of his illustrations are based on touching love stories in kabuki performances. However, the woodcut portrayal of this subject has nothing to do with the content of books but is merely a promotional measure. Later, Ling Chuan Shi Xuan will be replaced by “Leaflets ” for sale, in addition to love story, but also rich and beautiful geisha beauty. The demand of civilians for worship of idols made the woodcut ukiyo-e prints flourish in a short period of time. For a time street hawkers, bookstores or theaters are selling beauty and service (actor) ukiyo-e, much like the current star calendars.