Visual Parody of the Tale of Shiranui c. 1870s

This vivid print, "Visual Parody of the Tale of Shiranui," was created by Utagawa Yoshitaki in Japan. It’s a woodblock print, meaning that each color you see was carefully carved into a separate block of wood, inked, and then pressed onto paper. Consider the labor involved, cutting away at the wood to create these intricate designs. The distinct texture and feel of the print come directly from this process. Look closely, and you can see the subtle variations in the ink, and the way the paper absorbs the color. Woodblock printing was a popular medium during this period, allowing for the mass production of images and the dissemination of stories and cultural references, in this case a ‘visual parody.’ By understanding the techniques of production, and the distribution of the print through commercial channels, we gain insight into the wider social and cultural context of the time. It invites us to look beyond the surface of the image and consider the hands, tools, and traditions that brought it into being.