Print Flashcards
What evidence of printed material has shaped contemporary culture?
Theatre programmes, calendars, diaries, advertisements, cinema posters
These printed materials reflect the cultural changes in modern society.
What was the earliest kind of print technology developed in Asia?
A system of hand painting
This technology was developed in China, Japan, and Korea.
How were books printed in China from AD 594 onwards?
By rubbing paper against the inked surface of wood blocks
This method marked the beginning of print technology in China.
What is the traditional Chinese ‘Accordion Book’ characterized by?
It was folded and stitched at the side
This design was due to the thin, porous sheets that could not be printed on both sides.
Who was the major producer of printed material in China for a long time?
The Imperial State
The state produced textbooks for the Civil Service examinations.
What changes occurred in print culture by the 17th century in China?
Expansion due to growing urban culture
This led to diversification in the types of literature being produced.
What types of literature became popular among new readers in China?
- Fictional narratives
- Poetry
- Autobiographies
- Anthologies of literary masterpieces
- Romantic plays
These genres reflected the changing interests of readers during this period.
What role did women begin to play in the print culture of China?
Rich women began to read and publish their poetry and plays
The contributions of wives of scholar officials and courtesans were significant.
When were Western printing techniques imported to China?
In the late 19th century
This was during a period when Western powers established settlements in China.
What city became the hub of the new print culture in China?
Shanghai
Shanghai provided books to Western-style schools.
What was the impact of the shift from hand printing to mechanical printing?
A gradual shift in printing technology
This shift changed the production and availability of printed materials.
Who introduced hand-printing technology into Japan?
Buddhist missionaries from China
They brought the technology around AD 768-770.
What is the oldest Japanese book and when was it printed?
The Buddhist Diamond Sutra, printed in 868
This marks an important milestone in Japanese printing history.
What types of materials were printed in medieval Japan?
- Textiles
- Playing cards
- Paper money
These materials reflect the diversity of printed products available at the time.
What kind of books were cheap and abundant in medieval Japan?
Books by poets and prose writers
This accessibility contributed to a rich literary culture.
What led to interesting publishing practices in Japan?
Printing of visual material
This included a variety of topics in hand-printed books.
Who was Kitagawa Utamaro and when was he born?
A famous Japanese artist born in Edo in 1753
He was known for his contributions to the Ukiyo art form.
What was Ukiyo and what did it depict?
Pictures of the floating world, depicting ordinary human experiences
This art form particularly focused on urban life.
Which famous artists were influenced by Kitagawa Utamaro?
- Manet
- Monet
- Van Gogh
His work had a significant impact on these Western artists.
What was the role of publishers like Tsutaya Juzabura in Japan?
They commissioned artists and skilled wood block carvers to reproduce prints
This process often resulted in the destruction of the original drawings.
