It is the first time in the history of Polish exhibitions that we are presenting impressions from the world of a Japanese woman whose images, immortalised in paintings and woodblock prints, reveal some secrets of the Floating World, including intimate scenes behind the screen. The beauty we are describing through our exhibition titled 'ONNA – Beauty, Strength, Ecstasy. Japanese Woodcuts and Paintings from the Collections of the National Museum in Krakow' is a story of a woman, her charm, emotions, ecstasy and passions. It is a portrait of eternal beauty. It is also a vivid commentary on the ideal of looks, hairstyles and fashion. At the same time, a very important part of the narration deals with different shades of feminine strength – from harnessing a restive horse to the charismatic power of female warriors launching an attack of army troops on the battlefield.

Exhibition curators: Beata Romanowicz, Beata Pacana


Text and selection of photographs: Beata Romanowicz – holder of scholarships from the Chinese Government, the Japanese Government, the Japanese Foundation. Author and co-author of exhibitions on Japanese art, author of numerous articles and books on Japanese woodblock prints and other themes.

Kitagawa Utamaro (1753–1806) Woman Writing a Letter / Fumi o kaku onna From the series: Five Physiognomies of Beauties / Bijin go mensō
Ca. 1803–1804
Nishiki-e – polychrome woodblock print on paper

Kitagawa Utamaro (1753–1806) Woman Breastfeeding Her Child From the series: Views of Famous Places: Twelve Types of Beautiful Women / Meisho fūkei bijin jūni sō 1801–1804 Nishiki-e – polychrome print on paper

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) Tsumago – 43rd Station. Apparition of the Fox-Woman Kuzunoha From the series: The Sixty-nine Post Stations of the Kisokaidō Road
1852
Nishiki-e – polychrome print on paper

Katsukawa Shunchō (active ca. 1780–1795) Group of Women with a Cat at the Entrance to a House Ca. 1785
Nishiki-e – polychrome woodblock print on paper

Kitagawa Utamaro (1753–1806) Woman with a Boy Wearing a Mask – Parody of the Parable of Tao Yuanming / Tao Yuanming From the series: The Three Laughers of Tiger Ravine – Allusion to the Chinese Parable Kokei ni sanshō / Kokei ni sanshō Ca. 1802 Nishiki-e – polychrome print on paper

Katsukawa Shunsen (ok. 1762–1830) The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as a Woman in a Black Kimono 1781–1789
Nishiki-e – polychrome print on paper

Yashima Gakutei (1786 [?] – 1868) Ebisu From the series: A Parody of the Seven Gods of Fortune / Mitate shichifukujin
Ca. 1830
Nishiki-e – polychrome woodblock print on paper, surimono

Katsukawa Shuntei (1770–1820) Tomoe Gozen Fighting a Knight 1809
Nishiki-e – polychrome print on paper

Kitagawa Utamaro (1753–1806) Erotic scene: Two Lovers by a Screen From the book: Embracing Komachi / Komachi biki, 1802
Nishiki-e – polychrome print on paper