Two Geishas Out Walking 1739 - 1820

This Japanese woodblock print, made by Kitao Shigemasa, shows two geishas out walking. Produced using the *ukiyo-e* technique, images like this were made by carving separate blocks for each color, layering them to create the final design. You might imagine how each of those blocks had to be skillfully carved. This process, and the final image, speak to the meticulous work involved. The material of the wood itself, so carefully cut away, imparts a feeling of precision and deliberate craft. It is important to remember that these prints were not just art objects. They were also a popular commodity in their time, reflecting the growing consumer culture of Japan’s Edo period. Woodblock prints like these give us insights into the fashion, culture, and social life of the time. When we look at this artwork, consider the ways in which materials and making processes shape its meaning. It encourages us to appreciate the skilled labor embedded in its creation, and the social context that gave rise to it.