Philip Jacobs has been collecting Japanese woodblock prints since 1970, when he was drawn to Ukiyo-e’s vibrant colors and strikingly simple, graphic style. A professional textile designer, Philip’s own process of painting designs that are then mass-produced on fabrics mirrors the Ukiyo-e artists’ approach, and he feels a kinship with their dedication to art and craft.
Philip’s fascination with Ukiyo-e began at just 13, when he and his brother began using their pocket money to collect oriental antiques. He recalls the thrill of encountering prints in London antique shops in the early 1970s, a time when his favorite artists, Hiroshige and Hokusai, first captured his imagination. "I loved the way Hiroshige portrayed nature in all its moods," he shares, “it’s exactly the way I see it.” Hokusai, meanwhile, left a deep impression on Philip with his remarkable skill in linework, a mastery Philip has come to appreciate more over the years as he researched and acquired original pieces.
In the mid-1970s, Philip took his passion further by focusing part of his art degree thesis on Hiroshige’s use of traditional Chinese "Eight Views" themes. This work solidified his appreciation for Ukiyo-e's technical and cultural depth. More recently, he has added a number of original paintings and drawings by Hiroshige and Hokusai to his collection, a pursuit that required intensive study of their styles, signatures, and seals—a necessity due to the forgeries that became common in the 1890s as Ukiyo-e gained popularity in the West.
For those starting their own collections, Philip advises,
“Be guided by your heart. Buy what you love.”
His three favorite pieces include Hiroshige’s Seba, Ashida, and Motoyama, all scenes from the artist’s Kisokaido series, a set of prints that deeply resonate with him. (You can see these prints below from his collection).
Today, Philip continues to research and explore the world of Ukiyo-e, a journey that has enriched his life as a collector, artist, and designer, and allowed him to form a unique connection to this timeless art form.
You can see some of Philip's painting collection here. And some of his print collection here.
Favorite Prints:
Motoyama - Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido
Evening Bell at Ikegami from the series Eight Views of the Suburbs of Edo
