Analytical imaging of colour pigments used in Japanese woodblock prints using Raman microspectroscopy

Abstract

Ukiyo‐e printing is a traditional Japanese multicolour woodblock printing style that flourished during the 18th century. Although this genre subsequently experienced a decline, interest in it has since re‐emerged. However, the materials and carving and printing technologies originally used to produce ukiyo‐e prints remain unclear due to a lack of technical information. In this study, we performed non‐invasive molecular imaging of the colour pigments in recently reproduced and original ukiyo‐e prints using Raman microspectroscopy to investigate ukiyo‐e production technologies. First, to confirm the effectiveness of this method, we obtained Raman spectral images of an ukiyo‐e print, Ohisa with a fan, that was recently reproduced using the current ukiyo‐e production protocols. The pigment species were easily identified based on their Raman spectra, and small pigment granules were observed along the paper fibres. Furthermore, we performed Raman microspectroscopy of an original ukiyo‐e print, Kabuki Actor Iwai Hanshirô VIII as Miuraya no Agemaki. Some pigment species were revealed by the Raman spectra. We also obtained high‐spatial‐resolution pigment distribution images and observed characteristic inhomogeneous colour pigment aggregations on and between the paper fibres depending on the reproduced and the original ukiyo‐e prints. Our results indicate that Raman microspectroscopy is a promising technique for determining the original ukiyo‐e print production technologies that are currently unknown.

A blue can conceal another! Noninvasive multispectroscopic analyses of mixtures of indigo and Prussian blue

“…1 PB is also a chronological marker since it was introduced in the Japanese woodblock printing process at the end of the 1820s. Few analytical studies were conducted on such artworks [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] but the common use of indigo and PB in Japanese paintings, alone or mixed together, has been observed. [10][11][12] The majority of the studies conducted on 19th century ukiyo-e have also identified or have traced the presence of PB in blue colors as the primary or as in mixtures to obtain different shades of blue, green, and violet.…”

“…[10][11][12] The majority of the studies conducted on 19th century ukiyo-e have also identified or have traced the presence of PB in blue colors as the primary or as in mixtures to obtain different shades of blue, green, and violet. 2,7,[10][11][12][13] The mixture of indigo and PB, though, is barely considered in these studies although potentially present. Because indigo and PB are known to be very similar under the microscope, 14,15 different studies on their identification in mixture have been conducted for over 30 years on different artworks (textiles, paintings), but they mainly involved destructive analyses 16,17 or necessitate contact with the objects (Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy -SERS -analyses).…”

Integrating liquid chromatography mass spectrometry into an analytical protocol for the identification of organic colorants in Japanese woodblock prints

“…In a similar way, Japanese woodblock prints have also attracted the attention of scholars and, more recently, scientists [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] . Driven by research questions such as the lightfastness of colors, the chronology of the use of certain pigments 11,12,14 , the introduction of new materials in Japan 4,11 , the understanding of the creation sequence of prints 4,13,15 , and the transition between the Edo period and the Meiji era 4 , researchers have developed analytical protocols with particular attention to the investigation of Japanese woodblock prints 1,4,5,14,15 .…”

Recent advances in linear and nonlinear Raman spectroscopy. Part XII

“…Minamikawa et al presented an analysis of imaging of color pigments used in Japanese woodblock prints using Raman microspectroscopy. Their results indicate that Raman microspectroscopy is a promising technique for detecting the original Ukiyo‐e print production technologies, which are currently unknown …”

“…Their results indicate that Raman microspectroscopy is a promising technique for detecting the original Ukiyo-e print production technologies, which are currently unknown. [137] 14.4 | Geological, archeological, and extraterrestial related samples Cao, Ling, and Ni presented a chemical and spectroscopic investigation of K-H 3 O-Na jarosite solid solutions applicable for Mars explorations. Near-IR and mid-IR spectra were also collected for the spectral library of Mars remote-sensing studies.…”