71 Exciting Early 20th-Century Japanese Graphic Prints to Download

Vibrant Japanese prints from Shin Bijutsukai’s later issues—ideal for design lovers, crafters, and Art Nouveau fans.

Following up on my popular post featuring early designs from Shin Bijutsukai, I’ve explored deeper into the archive and uncovered a new collection of bold, graphic prints from the 1901–1902 volumes. These designs mark a striking evolution, where traditional Japanese motifs were stylised with a modern sensibility, echoing the curves and decorative flair of Art Nouveau.

Discovering the Later Prints of Shin Bijutsukai

Shin Bijutsukai was more than just a pattern magazine; it was a showcase of Japan’s creative reinvention during the Meiji era (1868–1912), a time when the country was opening up to the West and rapidly modernising. Artists like Furuya Korin and Kamisaka Sekka used the pages of this publication to blend centuries-old aesthetic, floral, crane, wave, and butterfly motifs with fresh design languages.

For those curious about the patterns and symbols that underpin these works, I recommend reading my post on traditional Japanese patterns, a helpful guide to the motifs you’ll see repeated across these prints.

A Resource for Artists, Designers, and Pattern Lovers

The pages of Shin Bijutsukai remain just as captivating today as they were over a century ago. Whether you’re a designer looking for inspiration, a crafter seeking printable patterns, or someone who enjoys Japanese art, these bold prints from 1901–1902 are a visual treat.

To download the Japanese graphic print you want, click on the title above that print, and a higher resolution image will open in a new tab. You can then print or save that image.

Graphic Framed Prints 1-10

The following graphics from the Shin Bijutsukai all have a stitched border with a bow.

Print 1: Green Arrow Blue Flowers

Print 2: Blue Waves & Ships

Waves, or seigaiha, are a classic element in Japanese pattern design, with layered, fan‑shaped curves that echo the rhythm of the sea. They represent resilience, harmony, and the timeless movement of water, appearing on everything from kimonos and ceramics to bold Meiji‑era woodblock prints.

Print 3: Flowers on the Vine

Print 4: Yellow Flowers on Orange

Plate 5: Colourful Zig Zags

Sharp, geometric zigzags often appear in Japanese patterns as yagasuri or yabane, stylised arrow‑feather motifs. These repeating V‑shapes suggest speed, direction, and protection, while their bold, graphic lines add striking movement to textiles, prints, and Meiji‑era design.

Print 6: Colourful Flowers and Leaves

Print 7: Black Butterflies

Butterflies, or chō, are a beloved motif in Japanese design, symbolising transformation, joy, and the fleeting beauty of life. Their delicate, symmetrical wings lend themselves perfectly to repeating patterns, from elegant kimono fabrics to the bold, decorative prints of the Meiji era.

Print 8: Blue Blossom

Print 9: Origami Stars

Origami star motifs in Japanese graphic design evoke precision, harmony, and celebration. Their crisp, folded geometry reflects the artistry of paper folding, while star patterns often appear in textiles and decorative prints as symbols of guidance, festivity, and celestial beauty.

Print 10: Orange & Black Clouds

Woodblock Prints 11-20

Print 11: Blue Flowers Leaves

Print 12: Purple Green Check with Foliage

Plate 13: White Flowers & Colours

Print 14: Pink and White Flowers

Print 15: Blue & White Irises

Irises, or ayame, are a favourite in Japanese design, often linked to protection and the start of summer. With their tall, blade-like leaves and bold blue/purple blooms, they bring a sense of drama and movement to patterns.

Check out this beautiful collection of Japanese Iris paintings.

Print 16: Hanging Blooms

Print 17: Roses On Trellis

Roses, or bara, aren’t traditionally Japanese but became popular in the Meiji era as Western influences took hold. Their lush petals and romantic symbolism made them a perfect fit for modern Japanese prints, often paired with bold layouts or trellised patterns to blend Eastern design with a European twist.

Print 18: Bees and flowers

Print 19: Autumn Leaves

Autumn leaves, especially momiji (Japanese maple), symbolise change, beauty, and the passing of time. Their delicate, star-shaped forms and fiery colours make them a favourite in both traditional and Meiji-era patterns, often scattered across prints like falling leaves in a breeze.

Print 20: Deer & Birds

Shin Bijutsukai Prints 21-30

Print 21: Floral Fans

Fans, or ōgi, pop up a lot in Japanese patterns; they’re all about elegance and good fortune. With their sweeping, open shapes, they add a sense of flow and movement, making any design feel festive and full of life. You’ll often see them in Meiji-era prints mixed with florals or bold graphics.

Print 22: Honeycomb, Cranes and Flowers

Print 23: Trees & River

Plate 24: Leaves on Purple

Print 25: Island

Print 26: Flowers and Twirls

Plate 27: Multicoloured Flowers

Print 28: Landscape Patterns

Landscapes are a staple of Japanese art, capturing everything from misty mountains to flowing rivers in beautifully stylised ways. In pattern design, they often appear as layered scenes or repeating vignettes, bringing a sense of depth and tranquillity.

Print 29: Trees on Checks

Print 30: Leaves in the Moonlight

Check out this collection of vintage autumn leaves on the site.

Japanese Prints 31-40

Print 31: Fish and Seaweed in Blue

Fish, especially koi, show up a lot in Japanese patterns; they’re all about strength, luck, and going with the flow. With their curvy shapes and patterned scales, they look great swimming through waves or scattered across a design. In Meiji-era prints, they often got a bold, graphic twist.

There is a whole collection of Japanese fish prints on the site.

Print 32: Maple Leaves on Blue

Print 33: Multipattern

Plate 34: Blue & Pink Birds

Print 35: Blue Flowers Vine

Plate 36: Patterns on Orange

Print 37: Birds on Perch

Print 38: Baskets and Flowers

Plate 39: Puppies with Temari Balls

Temari balls are colourful, thread spheres that started as children’s toys in Japan but became a decorative art form. Their intricate geometric patterns and bright threads make them a joyful, eye-catching motif in Japanese design, symbolising friendship, happiness, and skilful craftsmanship.

Print 40: Hexagon Pattern

Hexagon patterns, known as kikkō, are inspired by a turtle’s shell and symbolise longevity and good fortune in Japanese design. Their clean, repeating geometry adds structure and balance, and in Meiji-era prints, they were often mixed with florals or bold graphics for a striking decorative effect.

Japanese Woodblock Graphics 41-50

Print 41: Various Flowers

Print 42: 2 Patterns on Orange & Black

Plate 43: Fans & Leaves

Print 44: Three Patterns

Plate 45: Tree on Black

Print 46: Feathers

Feathers in Japanese design often symbolise protection, freedom, and spiritual connection. Their soft, flowing shapes work beautifully in repeating patterns. In Meiji-era prints, they were sometimes stylised into bold, graphic forms or combined with arrow-feather motifs like yagasuri for extra movement and energy.

Print 47: Four Circle Patterns

Print 48: Geometric Leaf Pattern

Plate 49: Birds and River

Birds are a favourite motif in Japanese design, symbolising everything from freedom and love to seasonal change, depending on the species. Whether it’s cranes for longevity, sparrows for joy, or swallows for good luck, their graceful shapes bring life and movement to patterns, and in Meiji-era prints, they often appear with bold, decorative backdrops.

Print 50: Waves and Flowers

Shin-Bijutuskai Prints 51-60

Print 51: Daisy Balls and Leaves

Print 52: Blue and White Check

Plate 53: Hares

Print 54: Bats

Bats in Japanese design are seen as symbols of good luck and happiness, a meaning borrowed from Chinese culture where the word for bat sounds like “blessing.” In Meiji-era prints, they were sometimes stylised into playful, decorative shapes, adding a quirky yet auspicious touch to patterns.

Print 55: Colourful Butterflies

Print 56: Colourful Blossom

Blossoms, especially cherry blossoms or sakura, are a big deal in Japanese design; they stand for beauty, new beginnings, and how quickly life changes. Their soft petals look great scattered through patterns, and in Meiji-era prints, they often got a bold, colourful makeover.

Print 57: Birds in Blossom Clouds

Print 58: Vine

Plate 59: Botanical Motifs

Print 60: Birds on Pink

Japanese Prints 61-71

Print 61: Leaves on Black

Print 62: Fans and Flowers

Plate 63: White Flowers

Print 64: Flying Cranes

Cranes, or tsuru, are a classic in Japanese design, symbolising long life, happiness, and good fortune. Their tall, elegant shapes and sweeping wings add instant grace to any pattern; they were often paired with waves, clouds, or bold backdrops for extra drama.

Print 65: Flower and Leaves on Orange

Print 66: Blue and White Flower

Plate 67: Various Large Flowers

Print 68: Mosaic Pattern

Print 69: River, Flowers and Trees

Plate 70: Flowers on Bamboo

Bamboo, or take, is a staple in Japanese design, symbolising strength, resilience, and flexibility. Its tall, straight stalks and simple leaves make a clean, graphic pattern. It was often paired with seasonal flowers or birds to add balance and harmony.

Print 71: Flowers and Leaves

Conclusion

The 1901–1902 Shin Bijutsukai prints are a wonderful mix of tradition and innovation, classic Japanese motifs given a fresh, graphic twist during the Meiji era. They’re proof of how timeless good design can be.

If you’d like to see more, have a look at the Watanabe Seitei prints for their delicate detail, the Japanese nature charts for scientific beauty, and the Utagawa Kuniyoshi prints for bold storytelling.

For a different take on decorative art, the William Morris designs and patterns are a perfect companion, two worlds of design united by a shared love of nature and craftsmanship.

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