Rice-Pounding Rabbit 1855

Tanaka Shutei created this woodblock print, "Rice-Pounding Rabbit," sometime before 1858, deploying a technique that was both ancient and central to the economy of his time. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, involves carving a design into a block of wood, inking it, and then pressing paper onto the block to transfer the image. Multiple blocks are used for different colors, demanding meticulous registration. The whole process speaks volumes about the division of labor that supported the publishing industry in Japan. Here, the texture of the paper and the grain of the wood subtly influence our perception of the scene. But the real significance lies in what’s depicted: a rabbit, usually a symbol of good luck, is here engaged in the distinctly un-charming task of pounding rice. This could be seen as a comment on the ubiquity of labor, even intruding on a scene of elegant leisure. It is through understanding the materials and processes involved in this print’s creation, and the social realities it represents, that we can fully appreciate its meaning.