Autumn Moon at Ishiyama (Ishiyama no aki no tsuki), No. 8 from the series "Eight Views of Omi" c. 1716 - 1736

This print, *Autumn Moon at Ishiyama*, was made by Nishimura Shigenaga in the 1700s, using woodblocks and colored inks. The process of woodblock printing is quite labor intensive. First, the artist creates a drawing, which is then transferred to a block of wood, usually cherry. A separate block is required for each color. Looking closely, you can see the characteristic flatness and crisp outlines, which come from the pressure of the woodblock. The subtle variations in tone and texture reflect the wood’s inherent qualities. The paper itself, likely made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree, has a warmth and absorbency that is crucial to the image’s overall effect. This print exemplifies the Ukiyo-e style, or "pictures of the floating world," popular during the Edo period. Though often seen as "low" art, these prints were widely circulated and shaped popular taste, demonstrating how the aesthetics of labor-intensive crafts can permeate society.