Scene from the Noh Dance "Kureha" 19th century

Teisai Hokuba created this woodblock print depicting a scene from the Noh dance "Kureha." Woodblock printing is itself a fascinating process. It requires a skilled artisan to carve the image into a block of wood, often cherry. Separate blocks were needed for each color, making the process highly complex, and requiring labor that was divided between designer, carver, printer, and publisher. The act of printing involves carefully inking the block and then pressing paper onto it to transfer the image. This process creates a slightly raised texture on the paper's surface, with visible marks that signal the immense hand work involved. The flat planes of color and the delicate lines are very characteristic of Japanese Ukiyo-e prints, which became popular during the Edo period. The finished product belies the labor-intensive process, and the collaborative nature of its making. Appreciating the materiality and the making challenges the traditional boundaries of art history and acknowledges the skilled craftsmanship inherent in its creation.