Admiring the wisteria at Kameido Shrine c. 1786

Torii Kiyonaga's "Admiring the Wisteria at Kameido Shrine" was made using woodblock printing, a painstaking process of carving an image into a block of wood, applying ink, and then pressing paper onto the block to transfer the image. The flat planes of color and bold outlines are characteristic of the Ukiyo-e style, which flourished during Japan's Edo period. Note how Kiyonaga used multiple blocks, each for a different color, layering them to create the final image. This required immense precision and skill, from the carving of the blocks to the registration of the colors during printing. Consider the social context: Ukiyo-e prints were often produced in multiples and were relatively affordable, making art accessible to a wider audience. The choice of subject matter, beautiful women enjoying a day out, also reflects the values and tastes of the urban merchant class that supported this art form. The amount of labor involved in producing this print is significant, from the artist's design to the carver's meticulous work and the printer's careful execution. By appreciating the materials, techniques, and social context, we gain a deeper understanding of the artistry and cultural significance of this print.