The Actor Sawamura Sojuro I as Soga no Juro c. 1732

This Japanese woodblock print of the actor Sawamura Sojuro I, playing the role of Soga no Juro, was made by Torii Kiyoshige in the first half of the 18th century. The print’s design is achieved through a painstaking process. First, the key lines are carved into a block of wood, then printed in black. Separate blocks are then prepared for each color, with the printer carefully aligning the paper to apply the layers in perfect registration. Note the complex patterning of the robes, which would have required tremendous skill to execute. Prints like these were not considered "high art," but rather were popular ephemera. They were produced for a mass audience and were relatively inexpensive. However, the level of skill required to create them was very high, making them a fascinating example of the intersection of craft, commerce, and artistic expression.