Kwak op boomstronk 1900 - 1936

Ohara Koson, who lived from 1877 to 1945, made this print, "Kwak op boomstronk" using woodblock printing, a technique that involves carving a design into a block of wood, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. Notice how the woodblock technique lends a graphic quality to the image, with clean lines and flat areas of color. This isn't just a reproduction; it is a skilled tradition with its own inherent beauty. Woodblock printing was not only a means of artistic expression but also a commercial process. In Japan, this technique was a key part of the Ukiyo-e tradition, which flourished during the Edo period, producing art for a wide audience. The amount of labor involved in creating a woodblock print like this is considerable, with specialized artisans handling the carving, printing, and publishing. It is a craft deeply embedded in the social and economic fabric of its time. Considering this history helps us appreciate how distinctions between art and craft can be misleading.