Japan: Bijin (beautiful woman) adjusting her hair, ukiyo-e woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806), 1798.

Bijinga (lit., 'beautiful person picture') is a generic term for pictures of beautiful women in Japanese art, especially in woodblock printing of the ukiyo-e genre, which predate photography. Nearly all ukiyo-e artists produced bijinga, it being one of the central themes of the genre.

Kitagawa Utamaro (ca. 1753 - October 31, 1806) was a Japanese printmaker and painter, who is considered one of the greatest artists of woodblock prints (ukiyo-e). He is known especially for his masterfully composed studies of women, known as bijinga. He also produced nature studies, particularly illustrated books of insects.

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Pictures From History