Kabuki Actor Segawa Kikunojō III in a Female Role 1788

This print by Katsukawa Shun'ei depicts Kabuki actor Segawa Kikunojō III, and was made in Japan using woodblock printing, a technique known as *ukiyo-e.* *Ukiyo-e* prints were a highly developed form of craftsmanship. Each color required a separate block, carved and printed with precision. The process demanded a division of labor, with artists, block carvers, and printers collaborating. The texture of the paper, the careful registration of colors, and the crisp lines all contribute to the print's visual appeal. The *ukiyo-e* tradition was deeply intertwined with the social fabric of its time, reflecting the values and tastes of the merchant class, the rising power in Japanese society. The production of these prints wasn't just an artistic endeavor; it was an industry, with prints mass-produced and sold at relatively affordable prices, making art accessible to a wider audience. The *ukiyo-e* tradition offers insights into the social, economic, and aesthetic values of its time, challenging traditional notions of art and craft.