Here is the English translation for ONO Bakufu. I have chosen descriptive language that emphasizes his scientific observation and the lifelike vitality of his work.
English Translation
ONO Bakufu was a printmaker active from the Taisho to the Showa era, highly acclaimed for his work focused on fish, most notably in the series Great Japanese Fish Pictorial (Dai-nippon Gyorui Gashu).
Bakufu captured his subjects with extraordinary realism, achieved through exhaustive observation of fish in their natural habitats; he frequently visited aquariums and even utilized submersibles to study them underwater. His work, however, goes far beyond mere scientific illustration. The shimmer of scales, the subtle shifts in body color, and the supple movements of fish gliding through water are all meticulously rendered with delicate lines and a restrained color palette. By utilizing concise compositions and the strategic use of negative space (yohaku), he emphasizes the presence of the fish, allowing the viewer to feel the very stillness and tension of the underwater world.
In his production process, Bakufu employed advanced techniques such as multi-color printing and bokashi (gradation). These methods allowed him to skillfully express the transparency and depth of water as well as the three-dimensional form of the fish, imbuing the prints with the tangible presence of living creatures. A major charm of his work is this fusion of Nihonga-style dignity with the crisp clarity unique to woodblock printing.
Supported by a profound respect for nature and keen observation, Ono Bakufu’s fish prints convey the beauty of life quietly yet powerfully. His sincere and refined expressions continue to captivate audiences to this day.
English Translation
ONO Bakufu was a printmaker active from the Taisho to the Showa era, highly acclaimed for his work focused on fish, most notably in the series Great Japanese Fish Pictorial (Dai-nippon Gyorui Gashu).
Bakufu captured his subjects with extraordinary realism, achieved through exhaustive observation of fish in their natural habitats; he frequently visited aquariums and even utilized submersibles to study them underwater. His work, however, goes far beyond mere scientific illustration. The shimmer of scales, the subtle shifts in body color, and the supple movements of fish gliding through water are all meticulously rendered with delicate lines and a restrained color palette. By utilizing concise compositions and the strategic use of negative space (yohaku), he emphasizes the presence of the fish, allowing the viewer to feel the very stillness and tension of the underwater world.
In his production process, Bakufu employed advanced techniques such as multi-color printing and bokashi (gradation). These methods allowed him to skillfully express the transparency and depth of water as well as the three-dimensional form of the fish, imbuing the prints with the tangible presence of living creatures. A major charm of his work is this fusion of Nihonga-style dignity with the crisp clarity unique to woodblock printing.
Supported by a profound respect for nature and keen observation, Ono Bakufu’s fish prints convey the beauty of life quietly yet powerfully. His sincere and refined expressions continue to captivate audiences to this day.
