A woman makes a cursing ritual ceremony 

This print, by Katsushika Hokusai, depicts a woman engaged in a cursing ritual ceremony. The labor involved in creating a woodblock print like this is considerable. First, the artist would have made a detailed drawing. This would then be transferred, in reverse, onto a block of wood, usually cherry. Skilled carvers would then cut away the areas that should not receive ink, leaving the lines of the design raised. This painstaking process demanded not only technical skill but also an understanding of the image’s intent. Different blocks would be needed for each color, adding complexity to the process. Finally, printers would apply ink to the block and transfer the image to paper, using a press or hand-rubbing techniques. The resulting image, with its crisp lines and subtle gradations of tone, belies the collaborative effort required for its production. By considering the work and skill involved, we can appreciate the value and complexity that this artwork embodies, challenging any divide between high art and craft.