The Album Poetry Selection on a Hundred Birds c. 1796

This is The Album Poetry Selection on a Hundred Birds by Kitagawa Utamaro. With its dark navy cover, cream title card and illustrations of foliage and birds, this book presents a visually intriguing blend of artistry and craftsmanship. The creation of this album would have involved several distinct processes. It begins with papermaking, a highly skilled craft in itself. The covers are dyed a deep, rich navy, and the paper is likely prepared with a coating to enhance its surface. Calligraphy and illustration are added using brushes and inks, which demanded precision and control. Finally, the binding of the album is a craft that requires careful folding and stitching to ensure the pages align. Each stage—from material sourcing to printing and binding—reflects a network of labor, tradition, and cultural value. It challenges the notion of the artist as the sole creator, and invites us to consider the collaborative effort behind every beautiful object.