A Woman as Ebisu, from the series "Seven Women as the Gods of Good Fortune for the Hanagasa Poetry Club (Hanagasaren shichifukujin)" c. 1820

This print, "A Woman as Ebisu," was made by Katsukawa Shuntei around 1800, using woodblock printing. The production of these prints was highly industrialized, involving teams of designers, block cutters, and printers. Each contributed specialized skills to create the final image. Looking closely, you can see how the grain of the woodblock influences the appearance of the print, particularly in the subtle textures of the woman’s kimono and the child’s robe. The lines are crisp and precise, reflecting the skill of the block cutter. Areas of flat color emphasize the graphic quality inherent in the process. Woodblock printing allowed for mass production, and these prints were relatively affordable. They offered a glimpse into the lives of courtesans and actors for a broad public. The print’s creation reflects the economic systems of the time, where skilled labor and mass production met the demand for affordable art. It reminds us that even seemingly simple images are the result of complex social and economic relationships, blurring the lines between fine art and commercial craft.