Tsuchigumo 1880

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's "Tsuchigumo" is a woodblock print made in Japan in the late 19th century. The process of making a woodblock print is fascinating. It begins with a drawing, which is then carefully transferred onto a block of wood, usually cherry. The artist then carves away the areas that should not receive ink, leaving the design in relief. This block is then inked, and a sheet of paper is laid on top and rubbed to transfer the image. Each color requires a separate block, so a complex print like this one demands an incredible amount of labor, from carving, to printing, to the skilled registration of each block, not to mention the coordination between designer, carver, and printer. These prints were essentially commercial products, made in multiples, yet that does not diminish the artistry involved. Yoshitoshi was working at a time of great social change in Japan, with traditional culture encountering Western influence and industrialization. The labor-intensive nature of woodblock printing is key to understanding this artwork. It is an object born from the tensions of this moment.