Leiden University Student Repository

Pelt, Darryl van (2016)

Animal Images and Political Suversion in the Edo Period

Bachelor thesis | Japanstudies (BA)

This thesis discusses the usage of animals as a means of satire in artwork of the late Edo period (1603-1868) . The research question is: What is the role of images of animals in satirical art of the late Edo period? I hypothesize that artists used animals in their prints to symbolize certain characters or events in a way that they could avoid censorship by the strict government. I also hypothesize that there is a reason for the choice to use certain specific animals and their symbolism to criticize certain events and historical characters. By examining sources that describe the artists life in Edo, texts about law (enforcement) and analyzing and interpreting works of art this thesis will establish a framework in which the reader will be able to understand the world of art in Edo Japan and the tools artists used to express certain opinions.

Edo

anthropomorphism

Ukiyo-e

Togugawa

censorship

Author

Pelt, Darryl van

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Arts & Media

Supervisors

Machotka, Ewa

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en