Chasing Fireflies c. 1761

Torii Kiyomitsu created 'Chasing Fireflies' using woodblock printing, a technique deeply rooted in Japanese craft traditions. The process begins with a key block, carved to define the image’s outlines. Subsequent blocks are then used to apply colors, one at a time, building up layers of tone and texture. Notice how the flat planes of color create a sense of depth, and how the lines articulate the figure's delicate features. Woodblock printing was not only a skilled craft but also a commercial enterprise. This print would have been produced in multiples, making art accessible to a wider audience. The very act of its creation is thus tied to broader issues of labor and consumption in the Edo period. Paying attention to these materials, making processes, and cultural context allows us to understand how these prints played a role in shaping society. It challenges the traditional distinction between fine art and craft.