Bowl of New Year Food 1808

Teisai Hokuba created this print of New Year food in Japan during the early 19th century. It is a woodblock print, or *ukiyo-e*, a process involving multiple blocks of wood, one for each color. The character of the wood, which is relatively soft and easy to carve, combined with the artist's expertise, results in thin lines to define the bowls, food, and Japanese calligraphy. The flat application of color creates a graphic style, which was highly popular and aligned with the tastes of the merchant class. The printmaking process allowed for the creation of multiple images, thus fulfilling a demand for inexpensive art. Hokuba was associated with the famous artist Hokusai, and produced many prints and book illustrations during his lifetime. He often depicted everyday life, from domestic scenes, to landscapes, to images of food like this one. Paying close attention to materials and the means of production helps us understand the social and cultural significance of this woodblock print, and appreciate its historical context, going beyond the boundaries of traditional fine art.