---
title: "Japonisme — AP Art History Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Japonisme is the late-1800s Western craze for Japanese art and ukiyo-e prints, shaping Impressionism and Art Nouveau. A go-to example for Topic 4.1 cross-cultural questions."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-art-history/key-terms/japonisme"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Art History"
---

# Japonisme — AP Art History Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

Japonisme refers to the influence of Japanese art, culture, and aesthetics on Western artists and designers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It had a significant impact on various art movements, such as Impressionism and Art Nouveau.

## Related Study Guides

- [4.1 Interactions Within and Across Cultures in Later European and American Art](/ap-art-history/unit-4/cultural-interactions-later-european-american-art/study-guide/vEcHWhEN09tXkjUbjKFq)

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Ukiyo-e](/ap-art-history/key-terms/ukiyo-e): A genre of Japanese woodblock prints popular during the Edo period (17th-19th century). Ukiyo-e prints often depicted scenes from everyday life, landscapes, famous actors, or beautiful women.
- [Impressionism](/ap-art-history/key-terms/impressionism): An art movement that emerged in the late 19th century characterized by capturing fleeting moments of light and color through loose brushwork and emphasis on atmospheric effects.
- [Art Nouveau](/ap-art-history/key-terms/art-nouveau): An international style of art, architecture, and design popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It emphasized organic forms inspired by nature and incorporated decorative elements.