Kijkend naar de zonsondergang bij de Ryogoku brug vanaf de Onmaya oever 1831 - 1835

Katsushika Hokusai created this woodblock print, "Kijkend naar de zonsondergang bij de Ryogoku brug vanaf de Onmaya oever", with ink and color on paper. The traditional Ukiyo-e printmaking process involves carving a separate block for each color, and requires meticulous registration to align them perfectly. Here, the flat planes of color and bold outlines emphasize the graphic quality of the image. Notice how the water’s texture is achieved through simple, repeated lines, a testament to the skill required to carve such detail into wood. The print is more than just a pretty picture, it also speaks to the labor involved in its production, and to the circulation of images in Japanese society. This wasn't just a solitary artistic act, but a collaborative process involving designers, carvers, printers, and publishers, each contributing their expertise. The print's success depended on the efficient division of labor and the standardization of production. By appreciating the materials, making process and context, we can see beyond the image itself, and understand the cultural and economic forces that shaped its creation.