Yōga (Japanese painting styles)

Refers generally to any Japanese variety of the visual arts that uses Western Techniques. The term came into usage during the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912) to distinguish Western-style art from traditional styles of Japanese painting. Western style painting was first know in Japan in the 16th century, but interest faded with the policy of National Seclusion during the reign of the Togukawa shogunate (1603-1867). In 1855, the shogunate set up a research bureau for Western studies, with the Technological Art School established in 1876. During the 1880s, there was a reaction against Western-style painting and a revival of interest in traditional arts.