Lucky God Stepping on a Rat, from the series Twelve Treasures of the Rat 

Keisai Eisen made this woodblock print, Lucky God Stepping on a Rat, sometime before his death in 1848. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, was a hugely popular art form in Japan at this time. It involved carving a design into a block of wood, inking it, and then pressing paper onto the block to transfer the image. What is striking about this print is the incredible level of detail. Look closely, and you'll see the precise lines and delicate gradations of color. These were achieved through a complex, multi-stage process, with different blocks used for each color. The final print is a testament to the skill and artistry of both the designer and the printer. Consider too that *ukiyo-e* prints like this were not just art objects. They were also commodities, produced and sold on a large scale, reflecting a sophisticated system of production and distribution. The labor and expertise involved, from the initial design to the final print, highlights the rich intersection of art, craft, and commerce in 19th-century Japan.