Type: Wachtend op een ontmoeting 1859

Utagawa Kunisada made this Japanese woodblock print, titled *Wachtend op een ontmoeting*, which translates to Waiting for a Meeting, using multiple blocks, one for each color. The processes of woodblock printing are quite laborious, but the repetition allowed for mass production and consumption. This particular print is part of a series depicting fashionable women. The texture of the paper is critical here, as it absorbs the ink and allows for fine lines and subtle gradations of color, which you can see in the woman's kimono. The act of carving and printing is also a process of translation. The final image presents a scene of cultivated leisure. The woman is reading a letter, perhaps an invitation or a love note, while origami cranes adorn her robe. The print offers a glimpse into the material culture of the time, including the fashion, hairstyles, and even the stationery used for correspondence. Ultimately, this print serves as a reminder that even seemingly simple images can reveal a great deal about the culture and society that produced them.