Kabuki actors play as Ōashibara Ueno no kami Masahira, Tokiwa Mikuriya Bettō Tsuneaki, Tairano Shinnō Masakado, Musashi Gorō Takeshiba 1822 - 1866

Utagawa Yoshitsuya made this woodblock print depicting Kabuki actors in 19th century Japan. The materiality of this print is key to understanding its cultural significance. Woodblock printing was a highly skilled, labor-intensive process involving carving a design into a block of wood, applying ink, and then pressing paper onto the block to transfer the image. The texture of the paper and the ink bleed are integral to the work's aesthetic. Woodblock prints were also produced on a commercial scale, making art accessible to a wider audience. Yoshitsuya’s skillful technique highlights the graphic qualities inherent in the medium, and elevates the artistic value of woodblock printing to a form of art. It encourages us to consider the social and cultural implications of the materials used and the processes involved in art making, challenging traditional distinctions between craft and fine art.