Practical Sketchbook (Ōyō manga) 1903

Ogino Issui created this woodblock print sketchbook, called Ōyō manga, sometime around 1910 in Japan. The term 'manga' can be translated as whimsical drawings, but is widely known today as Japanese comic books. Manga as a genre became popular in the late 19th century and this sketchbook is a fascinating example of manga as it existed at the turn of the century. The sketchbook makes reference to earlier artistic traditions, specifically the detailed observation of nature in Japanese art. Woodblock printing in Japan had become a well-established industry by this point, with different workshops specializing in each stage of the printmaking process. To understand this sketchbook better, we can investigate the popular art and design of the Meiji period, which saw Japan rapidly industrialize and Westernize. We can also explore the history of Japanese printmaking and the rise of manga as a popular art form. The meaning of art changes according to its social context.