A Data-Visualization Tool for Analyzing Ukiyo-e´s Pictorial Themes

In order to conduct comprehensive analyses of ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock prints), researchers often need to handle a vast number of prints, as it is assumed that approximately a million ukiyo-e still exist all over the world. To conduct research efficiently, this research aims at developing an original, data-visualization system for analyzing ukiyo-e´s visual features, and we hope the system can help analyzing them by simulating the analytical process. For developing the system, we take an example of "Otohime," a mythical princess, living in the Dragon Palace. More precisely, we examine visual features of the princess and another comparable character called Ryujo to see how their various features are employed to distinguish or not to distinguish both characters. While still in the developing stage, the system proved its efficiency as it not only saved the time for the analyses but also suggests new ways to think about the prints.