The Three Heroes of Shoku (Shu): Emperor Ryubi (Liu Fei) and His Friends Kwan-u (Kwan Yu) and Chohi (Chang Fei) 1800 - 1849

These three woodblock prints were made in Japan by Yashima Gakutei in the 19th century. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, was a highly developed craft, involving teams of designers, block carvers, and printers. Here, we see the heroes of the Shoku kingdom rendered in a riot of color and pattern. Notice the flat, graphic quality, achieved by pressing the inked woodblocks onto paper. The lines are crisp, and the colors are bold and defined. The materiality of wood gives a unique texture to the print, different than a painting. The *ukiyo-e* tradition was closely linked to the rise of a merchant class in Japan, who consumed these prints as a form of popular entertainment. This triptych, with its depiction of legendary figures, speaks to the values of loyalty and brotherhood that were important in Japanese society. It also speaks to a kind of industrialized image production, where many identical prints could be rapidly produced. Thinking about materials, making, and context helps us understand the layers of meaning embedded in this beautiful artwork.