Portrait of a woman holding a fan 

Katsushika Hokusai made this print of a woman holding a fan using woodblock printing, a technique that was both popular and highly developed in Japan. The process begins with a drawing, which is then transferred to a block of wood, usually cherry. The areas around the lines are carefully carved away, leaving a raised image. Ink is applied to the block, and then paper is pressed onto it to create the print. Each color requires a separate block, making the process labor-intensive. Woodblock prints like this one played a crucial role in disseminating images and ideas to a wider audience. They were relatively affordable, which allowed people from different social classes to engage with art and culture. The fan, an object of both utility and beauty, symbolizes the everyday elegance that Hokusai captured so well. The artist was not only a master of technique, but also a keen observer of the world around him. This print shows us the intersection of craft, commerce, and culture in Japan.