Takasago Harbor 1750 - 1770

Suzuki Harunobu produced this print, titled "Takasago Harbor," using woodblock printing techniques. The flat, graphic quality results from carving an image into wood, applying ink, and pressing it onto paper. In this print, the materials and processes have imbued the artwork with social or cultural significance. Woodblock printing, or Ukiyo-e, was a significant method of producing and circulating images during the Edo period in Japan. It allowed for the mass production of art, making it accessible to a wider audience. Takasago Harbor reflects the skilled traditions, labor, and craftsmanship involved in creating such prints. The sharp lines, intricate details, and careful registration of colors all required great dexterity. The print itself is the result of a sophisticated division of labor, with specialist designers, carvers, printers, and publishers involved in the production process. By understanding these elements of making, we can appreciate the cultural value of woodblock prints.