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Ukiyo-e is a traditional Japanese art made of multicolored wood-block prints, and although it has been around since the early 1600s, the art form has been diminishing by the year.
To keep this traditional art alive, Yuka Mitsui, CEO of Mitsui Agency International, decided to start the UKIYO-E PROJECT.
The word ukiyo means “now,” or “current life,” and the project aspires to bring back Ukiyo-e into the present day by collaborating with famous artists and pop icons. They hope that such collaborative efforts will help to make the traditional Japanese art form more relevant, and pique the interests of younger generations.
And who better to grab the attentions of the masses than rock band KISS?
Source: atpress
First launched in 2015, the Ukiyo-e wood-block prints released through the collaborative KISS + UKIYO-E PROJECT have been the talk of Ukiyo-e print enthusiasts everywhere.
Even Paul Stanley approves:
And for good reason, too — they’re badass.
Having released two prints in the past already, they’ve now launched the third round of the KISS + UKIYO-E PROJECT.
Source: atpress
Source: atpress
Source: atpress
This third wood-block print shows Paul Stanley doing his makeup, with the Japanese lyrics of the hit song “Rock and Roll All Nite” written in the background. If you look closely at Stanley’s kimono, you’ll also see Gene Simmons depicted as Yama, the judge of the dead, and Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer illustrated as demons.
This piece was created by a true artisan over the period of 6 months, and used Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s Token Gonbei as its base theme. 200 of all completed works are sold, 100 of each set including signatures from the members of the band.
Source: atpress
Source: atpress
Source: atpress
Source: atpress
The artwork can be bought from the UKIYO-E PROJECT online store, including the previous two KISS-themed wood-block prints, and an upcoming piece featuring Japanese idol group Momoiro Clover Z and KISS.
Source: atpress
Source: atpress
The KISS-inspired Ukiyo-e prints are in no way cheap (2,500 USD for autographed pieces and 1,250 USD for non-autographed pieces), but it does bring new light into the world of traditional Japanese Ukiyo-e art.