錦絵(にしきえ)

にしきえ
noun
color woodblock print; nishiki-e
leisure
1. color woodblock print; nishiki-e; polychrome print
A type of multicolored woodblock print developed in mid-18th century Edo Japan. Called 'brocade pictures' because of their vivid colors, which resembled woven brocade fabric. The technique involved using multiple blocks, each for a different color.
錦絵(にしきえ)は江戸時代(えどじだい)に発展(はってん)した。
Nishiki-e developed during the Edo period.
鈴木春信(すずきはるのぶ)が錦絵(にしきえ)の技法(ぎほう)を確立(かくりつ)したとされる。
Suzuki Harunobu is credited with establishing the nishiki-e technique.
この美術館(びじゅつかん)では歌川広重(うたがわひろしげ)や葛飾北斎(かつしかほくさい)の錦絵(にしきえ)を間近(まぢか)で見(み)ることができる。
At this art museum, you can see nishiki-e by Utagawa Hiroshige and Katsushika Hokusai up close.

Usage: 錦絵(にしきえ) is a specific subcategory of 浮世絵(うきよえ) (ukiyo-e). Before 錦絵(にしきえ), woodblock prints used only one or two colors. The development of the full-color technique in the 1760s revolutionized the art form.

The name literally means "brocade picture" (錦(にしき) = brocade, 絵(え) = picture), referring to the rich, vibrant colors that resembled expensive woven fabric.

Common collocations

  • 錦絵(にしきえ)の技法(ぎほう): nishiki-e technique
  • 錦絵(にしきえ)師(し): nishiki-e artist

Similar words

  • 錦絵(にしきえ): full-color woodblock print (specific technique)
  • 浮世絵(うきよえ): ukiyo-e (broader category of Edo-period prints and paintings)
  • 版画(はんが): woodblock print (general term)

Related Words

Compare: 浮世絵(うきよえ) (ukiyo-e)
Compare: 版画(はんが) (woodblock print)
Compare: 多色(たしょく)刷(ず)り (multicolor printing)
general
Added 2026.3.6 20:53 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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