How to write the Midjourney prompt in Japanese Ukiyo-e style

Famous Ukiyo-e Artists from Japan and Their Characteristics

Ukiyo-e is a distinctive art form that emerged during Japan’s Edo period (17th–19th century), often depicting urban life, landscapes, theater characters, or beautiful women. Here are some of the most renowned Ukiyo-e artists and their stylistic features:

  1. Katsushika Hokusai
    • Famous Work: Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji (The Great Wave off Kanagawa)
    • Style Characteristics: Master of landscape and daily life depictions, known for dynamic compositions, flowing lines, and vivid colors.
    • Keywords: Scenery, waves, Mount Fuji, traditional Japanese architecture.
  2. Utagawa Hiroshige
    • Famous Work: The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido
    • Style Characteristics: Focused on landscapes, capturing light, shadow, and changing weather with delicate perspective.
    • Keywords: Landscapes, travelers, bridges, seasonal changes.
  3. Kitagawa Utamaro
    • Famous Work: Bijin-ga (Portraits of Beautiful Women)
    • Style Characteristics: Specialized in graceful depictions of women, emphasizing emotions and intricate details of their attire.
    • Keywords: Portraits of women, kimono details, graceful poses, elegance.
  4. Tōshūsai Sharaku
    • Famous Work: Kabuki actor portraits
    • Style Characteristics: Focused on dramatic portraits of actors, with exaggerated facial expressions and theatrical energy.
    • Keywords: Kabuki actors, bold expressions, vivid colors, theatrical masks.
  5. Suzuki Harunobu
    • Famous Work: Nishiki-e (Multicolor Woodblock Prints)
    • Style Characteristics: Soft, delicate color palettes, capturing the quiet elegance of daily life scenes with subtle details.
    • Keywords: Everyday life, soft tones, elegance, domestic scenes.
  6. Torii Kiyonaga
    • Famous Work: Long scrolls of beautiful women
    • Style Characteristics: Tall, slender figures, detailed urban scenes, and balanced compositions.
    • Keywords: Portraits of women, cityscapes, traditional patterns.

How to Create Ukiyo-e Style Images in Midjourney: Keywords

To generate Ukiyo-e-style images in Midjourney, the following keywords can be used to achieve an authentic aesthetic:

1. Describe the Style:

  • Ukiyo-e style
  • Japanese traditional art
  • Edo period illustration
  • Woodblock print
  • Vintage Japanese aesthetic

2. Describe the Scene or Theme:

  • Scenic landscapes
  • Samurai and Geisha
  • Kabuki actors
  • Everyday life in Edo period
  • Nature elements: waves, mountains, cherry blossoms

3. Technical and Artistic Details:

  • Flat color layers
  • Intricate linework
  • Muted color palette
  • Dynamic composition
  • Traditional Japanese pattern

4. Color and Mood:

  • Earthy tones
  • Bold outlines
  • Pastel shades
  • Calm and nostalgic mood

10 Midjourney Prompt Examples for Ukiyo-e Style

  1. “A majestic wave crashing against a small boat, Mt. Fuji in the background, Ukiyo-e style, bold outlines, muted blue and white tones, intricate details, woodblock print aesthetics.”
  2. “A serene Edo-period village by the river, cherry blossoms in bloom, traditional Japanese architecture, Ukiyo-e style, soft pastel colors, delicate linework.”
  3. “A Geisha walking gracefully under a red umbrella, wearing an elaborate kimono, Ukiyo-e art style, vibrant colors, intricate patterns, woodblock print effect.”
  4. “A Kabuki actor with exaggerated facial expressions, colorful robes, dramatic pose, Ukiyo-e style, Edo-period theater aesthetic, woodblock print illustration.”
  5. “A samurai standing under a pine tree during snowfall, wearing traditional armor, Ukiyo-e style, muted earth tones, bold outlines, intricate snow details.”
  6. “A peaceful Edo-era harbor scene with fishermen, wooden boats, seagulls flying, Ukiyo-e style, soft blue tones, intricate water ripples, woodblock texture.”
  7. “A mountain landscape with winding paths, travelers in traditional Japanese attire, Ukiyo-e style, vibrant greenery, pastel sky, dynamic composition.”
  8. “A close-up of a koi fish swimming in a clear pond, surrounded by lotus flowers, Ukiyo-e style, bold colors, intricate scale details, woodblock print aesthetic.”
  9. “A woman playing a shamisen under a full moon, surrounded by bamboo forest, Ukiyo-e style, delicate line art, traditional Japanese patterns, calm and serene.”
  10. “A stormy sea with sailors battling the waves, traditional Japanese ships, Ukiyo-e art, dramatic lighting, bold outlines, dark blue and gray tones.”

By using these keywords and prompt examples, you can easily generate Ukiyo-e-style artwork in Midjourney, faithfully replicating the aesthetics and unique charm of this traditional Japanese art form.