ukiyo-e

American  

[yoo-kee-oh-ey, oo-kee-yaw-e] / yuˈki oʊˌeɪ, ʊˈki yɔˈɛ /

noun

1. a genre style of painting and printmaking developed in Japan from the 17th to the 19th centuries and marked by the depiction of the leisure activities of ordinary people.

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ukiyo-e British  

/ ˌuːkiːjəʊˈjeɪ /

noun

1. a school of Japanese painting depicting subjects from everyday life

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Etymology

Origin of ukiyo-e

1895–1900; < Japanese, equivalent to uki-yo transitory world ( uki float + yo world) + ( w ) e picture (perhaps < Middle Chinese; compare Chinese huà )

Example Sentences

The genre of Japanese prints called ukiyo-e, meaning “images of the floating world,” first arose in the 17th century and was often distinguished by city scenes, sumo wrestlers and geishas.

From The Wall Street Journal

I started doing the same face for everything because in Japanese ukiyo-e prints, the figuration is always the same — like every girl in a print will have the exact same face but have different outfits.

From Los Angeles Times

He says the PIE title “Something Wicked from Japan: Ghosts, Demons & Yokai in Ukiyo-e Masterpieces” is among the top all-time Apparition bestsellers.

From Seattle Times

Nods to L.A.’s urban sprawl are paired with vivid graffiti lettering and spray paint, punctuated with blazes of gold leaf and carefully rendered figures inspired by Japanese Ukiyo-e art.

From Los Angeles Times

Roasted carrots are strung from the ceiling; halved baguettes stand pointed ends up in thick swirls of butter that resemble waves from Japanese ukiyo-e paintings.

From Los Angeles Times