Shimpan Iga goe dochÅ« Sugoroku 

Editor: This print by Utagawa Kunisada, "Shimpan Iga goe dochu Sugoroku," depicts a chaotic scene. What can you tell me about how the materials and production influenced this type of art? Curator: The woodblock printing process was highly collaborative, dividing labor between the artist, block carver, printer, and publisher. Consider the material constraints: the size of the woodblock dictated the print's scale. How did these production methods affect the availability and consumption of such prints? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. It seems like the division of labor would make these prints more accessible to the public. Curator: Precisely. And how does the subject matter – a roadside battle – reflect broader social narratives and the public's appetite for tales of conflict and drama? Editor: It makes me realize this piece offers more than just an image; it speaks to the economics and culture of its time. Curator: Indeed. Examining the materials and production reveals the intricate relationship between art, labor, and society in 19th-century Japan.