(Washing Spring herbs in a stream) c. 1860s

This print, made in 1860 by Asai Kōei, demonstrates the art of Ukiyo-e, a Japanese woodblock printing technique. Though seemingly simple, the process is incredibly labor-intensive. Each color in the image necessitates a separate block, meticulously carved from wood. The artist must align these blocks with incredible accuracy to create the final image. In this case, the lines defining the figures and landscape, the blocks of color forming their clothing, and the delicate texture of the water each required individual attention. Woodblock printing emerged during the Edo period, when a burgeoning merchant class fostered a demand for affordable art. The Ukiyo-e tradition allowed artists to reproduce images quickly and efficiently, connecting creativity to larger systems of production and consumption. This print invites us to consider the relationship between artistry and labor. The beauty of the finished product belies the skilled craftsmanship and intensive work required to bring it into being. It reminds us that art is not just about individual expression, but also about the social and economic contexts in which it is created.