Woman Playing the Shamisen c. 1769

Suzuki Harunobu made this woodblock print, Woman Playing the Shamisen, in eighteenth-century Japan. Harunobu innovated the full-color woodblock print technique known as nishiki-e, employing multiple blocks to layer colors and create nuanced imagery. The process of creating nishiki-e was a collaborative endeavor involving skilled block carvers, printers, and publishers. Each color required a separate woodblock meticulously carved to delineate the image's outlines and details. The printer then applied ink to each block, carefully aligning them to build up the image layer by layer on paper. This print exemplifies the sophisticated craftsmanship and division of labor characteristic of Edo-period printmaking. The soft hues and delicate lines evoke a sense of elegance and refinement, reflecting the cultural values and artistic sensibilities of the time. The labor-intensive production process and refined aesthetic qualities contributed to its status as a coveted art form.