Japanese Print "Stone Observatory in Kiyonju" by Hiratsuka Unichi
Artist:Hiratsuka Unichi
Title:Stone Observatory in Kiyonju
Date:c. 1930
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Source:Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description:
After Korea became a colony of Japan in 1910, there was an increasing interest in Korean subjects, which became a popular genre of Japanese woodblock prints. This print depicts the Chamsongdae Observatory in the ancient Unified Shilla period (668-935) capital of Kyongju in the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula. Built in the 7th century, it is believed to be the oldest astronomical observatory in East Asia. Japanese scholars and archeologists, together with the general public, were particularly interested in this period of Korean history, when there was considerable cultural and technological exchange between the Korean peninsula and the Japanese archipelago. (“SELF-CONSTRUCTION: THE ART OF KOBASHI YASUHIDE?” NOVEMBER 18, 2010-FEBRUARY 20, 2011) **************