Hyakumenso
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About Reproduction
Bring the timeless beauty of Kobayashi Kiyochika's Hyakumenso into your home with a handmade oil painting reproduction. Carefully recreated on canvas by skilled artists using traditional techniques, this piece captures the delicate brushwork, subtle light, and vibrant color of the original masterpiece. With museum-level quality and rich texture, it brings elegance and artistic depth to any space. Enjoy free shipping and make this masterpiece a part of your personal collection.
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Original Description
Kobayashi Kiyochika's Hyakumenso (One Hundred Faces) is a mesmerizing ukiyo-e woodblock print that exemplifies the artist's mastery in capturing atmospheric tension and human emotion during Japan's tumultuous Meiji era. Created in 1883, this nocturnal scene blends traditional Edo-period composition with Western-inspired chiaroscuro lighting, showcasing Kiyochika's distinctive kōsen-ga (light-ray pictures) style that revolutionized late 19th-century Japanese printmaking. The haunting tableau features spectral faces emerging from darkness, their expressions ranging from sorrow to sardonic humor, rendered with meticulous kentō registration that gives each visage startling dimensionality. As one of the last great ukiyo-e artists, Kiyochika bridges the gap between classical Japanese art and modernism – Hyakumenso particularly influenced later Shin-hanga artists through its psychological depth and experimental techniques. The work holds historical significance as both social commentary on rapid Westernization and a technical masterpiece, now housed in the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery collection.
For contemporary interiors, Hyakumenso makes a striking statement piece when matted in black lacquer frames with museum glass to enhance its inkwork nuances. Its 38.5 × 25.5 cm dimensions suit study nooks or entryways, where moody lighting can recreate the original's dramatic interplay of light and shadow. Pair with minimalist furnishings in dark walnut or shou sugi ban-treated wood to complement the artwork's Edo aesthetic, while avoiding competing patterns. In workspaces, position opposite floor-to-ceiling windows to allow daylight to subtly animate the faces throughout the day. For color schemes, deep indigo (ai-iro) walls reference traditional Japanese interiors, whereas modern offices might opt for matte charcoal as a neutral backdrop. When displaying multiple Kiyochika prints, maintain at least 90cm spacing between artworks to honor each piece's visual weight, with accent lighting at 3000K temperature to match lantern glow from the composition.
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Lead Time & Shipping
When you order this oil painting replica, it typically takes 2-3 weeks to paint. If the artwork is more complex, it might need a little more time to ensure the best quality. Once it's ready, we'll send you a photo for your approval. After you give the green light, we'll ship it to you for free.
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Return & Refund
We believe in the quality of our hand-painted oil painting reproductions, and your satisfaction is our priority. If for any reason, you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, we offer a 45-day return policy. You can return your artwork within 45 days of receipt and receive a full refund. Please note that the artwork must be returned in the original packaging and in the same condition as it was received.
