The Spirit of the Komachi Cherry Tree and Ōtomo no Kuronushi, from the series A Collection of Plays Old and New (Kokon Jōruri zukushi) c. 19th century

Editor: This woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige, titled "The Spirit of the Komachi Cherry Tree and Ōtomo no Kuronushi," has such a striking contrast between the delicate blossoms and the laborer with his axe. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Notice how the woodblock medium itself dictates the aesthetic. The flat planes of color, the sharp lines, and the layering of prints all speak to a production process dependent on skilled labor and the availability of specific materials. Editor: So, the art is a product of its making? Curator: Precisely. The image is not just a representation of a play, but an artifact of a specific socio-economic context, where art production was intertwined with craft and commerce. Editor: That connection between the artistic process and its historical context makes me see it in a new light! Curator: Indeed. By examining the labor and materials, we get a richer understanding.