Bijutsukai Pl.202
1901
This charming page from the 1901 magazine *Bijutsukai* (Art World) features a whimsical scattering of butterflies and wildflowers, designed by Furuya Kōrin. Drawing on the decorative Rinpa tradition, Kōrin arranged bold red, yellow, and blue blooms alongside striped and spotted butterflies in a pattern that feels both spontaneous and perfectly balanced. These illustrations were vital for reviving traditional Japanese crafts during the Meiji period, serving as blueprints for textiles, lacquerware, and ceramics. It’s a delightful glimpse into how artists kept centuries-old nature motifs alive even as Japan rapidly modernized.
- Technique
- woodblock print
- Material
- paper