Geisha Blackening Teeth at 1;00 p.m. 1880

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi created this woodblock print around 1880 using multiple blocks, each carrying a different color. The final impression would have required a skilled printer. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, was a complex process involving specialized tools, carving techniques, and registration methods. The translucent quality of the colors speaks to the expertise required. The fine lines of the Geisha’s hair, and the subtle gradations in her skin tone, are a testament to the artist's mastery of the medium. Woodblock prints were very much a commercial enterprise, made possible by teams of artists, carvers, printers, and publishers. The social significance of the work lies in its portrayal of the geisha as a figure of both beauty and artifice. The blackening of teeth, a beauty practice, highlights the constructed nature of identity. The print itself, produced through meticulous labor, underscores the intersection of art, craft, and commerce in Japanese society. Ultimately, this print challenges the idea of a singular artistic genius and encourages us to appreciate the collaborative nature of art production.