#art #ukiyo-e #pigment #chemistry #chemie #metallurgy #metallurgie

HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY IN JAPAN — PRUSSIAN BLUE

Prussian blue or Berlin blue is the oldest modern synthetic color. It has been in use since its discovery in Berlin in 1704. The pigment is made from ferric ferrocyanide.

• see ColourLex “Prussian blue”
• and see Wikipedia “Prussian blue”

CASE STUDY. The history of the use of Prussian blue in Japan is an illustrative example of a process of rapid acceptance. The effects of the use of this synthetic pigment in Japan is a case study in the history of technology. <!—more—>

A “NEW” COLOR. This “new” powdered pigment was imported to Japan from Holland in the 18th century. — see JAANUS (Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System), “Beronin-ai” ベロリン藍

This hue of blue was used by Katsushika Hokusai in 1831 in his most famous woodblock print, “Under the Wave, off Kanagawa,” also known as “The Great Wave.” Hokusai's popular artwork was the first to exploit the pigment, which had recently become cheaply available from China.

• see British Museum, “Making Waves”
• see Wikipedia “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”
• see Prussian Blue in a close-up detail of Hokusai’s Great Wave:

In Japan, the success of Prussian blue caused a vogue for blue colors in ukiyo-e prints of the late 1820s and 1830s.

• see Wikipedia “Aizuri-e”
• and see JAANUS, “Azuri” 藍摺

QUESTION: Does the story of the introduction and expanding use of Prussian blue provide a good example of STEM-focused evolution? Is it possible that this could become a teaching tool?

QOTO = Question Others to Teach Ourselves?

Editor's Note : This blog post is being prepared to celebrate the research work of our fellow QOTO.org user Chikara, @Chikara@Qoto.org , who has been sharing the fruits of his curiosity and study of the evolution of Technology, Arts and Science in Japan.

I had meant to suggest to him that his posts would look wonderful in a Blog format, and be preserved, made easier to find for anyone interested in following them.

Upon seeing his post of the Prussian Blue history, and the beautiful gravure of the Great Wave, I knew the moment was now.

Thank you, Chikara, for sharing with us all of your findings.

チカラ、私たちとあなたの調査結果のすべてを共有していただきありがとうございます。

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