What is "bijin-ga"

is a generic term for pictures of beautiful women in Japanese art, especially in woodblock printing of the ukiyo-e genre, which predate photography. Ukiyo-e is a genre of woodblock prints and paintings that was produced in Japan from the 17th century to the 19th century. These woodblock prints depicted beautiful women; kabuki actors and sumo wrestlers; scenes from history and folk tales; travel scenes and landscapes; flowers and animals and erotica. These prints were very popular amongst the Japanese merchants and the middle class of the time. Nearly all ukiyo-e artists produced bijin-ga, it being one of the central themes of the genre. However, a few, including Utamaro, Suzuki Harunobu, Itō Shinsui, Toyohara Chikanobu, Uemura Shōen and Torii Kiyonaga, are widely regarded as the greatest innovators and masters of the form.

by Keisai Eisen (1790 – 1848)

Harunobu - Woman Visiting the Shrine in the Night - Google Art Project.jpg|Woman Visiting the Shrine in the Night by Suzuki Harunobu (1725–1770) Chikanobu Shin Bijin 12.jpg|Shin Bijin, Shin Bijin series, No. 12 by Yōshū Chikanobu (1838–1912) - 100 Aspects of the Moon - 11.jpg| 100 Aspects of the Moon by Yoshitoshi (1839–1892) Museum - Two Women Standing from series "Tosai Yuri Bijin Awase" - Torii Kiyonaga.jpg|Two Women Standing from series "Tosai Yuri Bijin Awase", by Torii Kiyonaga (1752–1815) rinka bijin majiru.jpg|Woman with cherry flowers by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Museum - A Girl About to Despatch a Letter - Torii Kiyomine.jpg|A Girl About to Despatch a Letter, by Torii Kiyomine (1786-1868)

Eisho, The Courtesan Someyama of the Matsubaya Brothel, Matsubaya Someyama, Contest of Beauties in the Gay Quarters.jpg| The Courtesan Someyama of the Matsubaya house, from the series: Contest of Beauties in the Gay Quarters, by Eishosai Choki - active from about 1786 to 1808. Shikibu 1876.jpg|Woman with her hair let down, by Murasaki Shikibu (978 – 1025)

Bijin sur une véranda.JPG|Woman in the night, by Suzuki Harunobu, c. 1760-1770 bathhouse women-2.jpg|Bathhouse women, by Torii Kiyonaga (1752 – 1815)