A Young Man and Woman with a Shamisen; Monk Saigyō, from a series alluding to the Three Evening Poems (Sanseki waka) 1758 - 1778

Suzuki Harunobu made this woodblock print in the mid-18th century, using a technique called *nishiki-e,* or brocade pictures. This wasn’t just printing; it was a sophisticated craft. Each color you see required a separate block, meticulously carved and then printed in precise registration. The velvety texture and soft gradations of color speak to the skill involved. Look closely, and you can see the key lines that define the figures and forms. The care taken in production elevates the everyday. The print alludes to a classical poem, yet shows a contemporary scene of women with a *shamisen*, or lute. The setting is domestic, but through this printing method, Harunobu transformed the image into something precious, desirable, and very much of its time. In that era, the prints were not precious artworks, but widely circulated commodities. That’s what’s so great about them: they show that the touch of an artist can transform even mass-produced items into something meaningful.