Print 1786 - 1854

This print was made by Utagawa Kunisada in nineteenth-century Japan, using the technique of woodblock printing. This process, known as *ukiyo-e*, was a highly collaborative affair involving the artist, the block carver, the printer, and the publisher. The image would first be drawn by the artist, and then painstakingly carved into separate woodblocks, one for each color. The printer would then apply ink to the blocks, and carefully press them onto paper, layering the colors to create the final image. This particular print demonstrates the remarkable technical skill that *ukiyo-e* demanded. Notice the crisp lines, the subtle gradations of color, and the precise registration of the blocks. Also, think about the labor involved in producing prints like this. Each impression required a significant investment of time and skill, making them relatively affordable, and widely available to the public. This helped to fuel a vibrant print culture in Japan, which challenged traditional hierarchies between art and craft.