78 Teppōzu and Tsukiji Monzeki Temple 1857

Utagawa Hiroshige made this woodblock print, "78 Teppōzu and Tsukiji Monzeki Temple," using traditional materials and techniques. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, was not simply a means of artistic expression, but also a commercial enterprise. The print's visual impact relies on the inherent qualities of the wood and the skills of the artisans involved. Each color requires a separate block, meticulously carved to create the desired image. The paper, thin and absorbent, captures the delicate lines and subtle gradations of tone. Water-based inks give the print its characteristic luminosity. The process itself—from the initial design to the carving and printing—involved a complex division of labor. Artists, carvers, printers, and publishers all played crucial roles in the production of these images. The rise of *ukiyo-e* prints coincided with the growth of a merchant class, and these images were made affordable through mass production, reflecting the dynamics of labor, politics, and consumption in Japanese society. Understanding this print requires us to appreciate not only Hiroshige's artistry, but also the social and economic context in which it was created.