To-no Sawa (Name of one of the hot springs at Hakone) 1769 - 1789

Torii Kiyonaga created this woodblock print, ‘To-no Sawa,’ using multiple blocks of wood, each inked with a different color, to layer the image. Look closely, and you can see how each color is printed separately. The process begins with a key block, which defines the outlines of the design. Artisans carve away the wood around the lines. They then apply ink to the raised areas, and press the block onto paper. For each additional color, a new block is carved based on the key block. Woodblock printing in Japan was very much embedded in the economic and social life of its time. The division of labor – from artist to block carver to printer – is a reflection of the complex relationship between artistic creation and the modes of production. The print's texture, weight, and form all carry the history of labor involved in its production. The level of skill required for carving and printing is a testament to the value placed on craftsmanship in Japanese society. By considering the materials, production processes, and cultural context of ‘To-no Sawa,’ we can gain a deeper understanding of its artistic significance, moving beyond the traditional distinction between art and craft.