33. Towboas Along the Yotsugi Dōri Canal 1857

Utagawa Hiroshige created this woodblock print, Towboas Along the Yotsugi Dōri Canal, using a process rooted in the techniques of *ukiyo-e*. This artistic method, popular in Japan from the 17th through 19th centuries, involves carving an image into woodblocks, inking them, and then pressing them onto paper. In this work, we see how Hiroshige’s approach emphasizes the inherent qualities of his materials. The grain of the wood subtly influences the texture of the print, while the careful layering of inks creates depth and atmospheric perspective. The image captures a scene of daily life along the canal, where laborers are seen pulling boats, a testament to the physical labor that underpinned the era’s economy. The repetitive nature of carving and printing mirrors the laboriousness of the towboas' work. This print serves as a reminder that art, like any object, is always connected to the processes and conditions of its making.