Non-destructive determination of colorants used for traditional Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints by the three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum using fibre optics

Abstract

Ukiyo-e, traditional Japanese woodblock prints, are the most prevalent pictorial art form in the world. Their artistic impact on western impressionist artists is well known as the cultural phenomenon "Japonisme". A non-destructive determination of the red (R1-R3) and yellow colorants (Y1-Y3) in the original ukiyo-e prints "Yokkaichi" by Katushika Hokusai, printed in ca. 1823, and blue colorants (B1-B3) in the original ukiyo-e prints "Evening Snow at Mokuboji (Mokuboji Bosetsu)" by Gototei Kunisada, printed in ca. 1821, was performed by a 3-D fluorescence method using a quartz fiber optic apparatus. Comparison of the contour plot diagram of the 3-D fluorescence spectra of the above samples with those of control samples proved that the red colorants (R1-R3) were printed with a dyestuff obtained from the plant Carthamus tinctorius L. petal, "Safflower", the yellow colorants (Y1-Y3) with a dyestuff obtained from the plant Curcuma longa L. root, "Turmeric", and the blue colorants (B1-B3) with a dyestuff obtained from the plant Polygonum tinctorium Lour. leaf, "Indigotin", respectively.