Nihon hana zue 1893

Ogata Gekko made this image of women and cherry blossoms, likely during the Meiji period, with woodblock printing. It's a complex process that requires carefully carving a series of woodblocks, one for each color, and then printing them in succession to create the final image. The texture of the paper, the registration of the colors, and the distinct line quality all speak to the handcraft involved. Woodblock prints like this one were central to the development of Japanese art. They were a relatively affordable way to produce multiple images, fueling a boom in visual culture, much like photography would do in the West. Though these prints were commercial items, they demanded high levels of technical skill, not only in carving the blocks, but also in mixing the inks. Appreciating the craft involved gives us insight into the wider social context of the work, and the skilled labor that went into its production. It bridges the gap between 'fine art' and the work of artisans.