Mashiba Hisayoshi, the Tairyō, in Lightening 1865

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s woodblock print depicts Mashiba Hisayoshi caught in a torrential downpour, his face stern amidst the chaos of rain and lightning. Woodblock prints, or ukiyo-e, were a sophisticated, collaborative process that blurred the lines between art and industry. Consider the labor involved: from the artist's initial design, to the skilled carvers who translated the image onto woodblocks, and finally the printers who meticulously applied ink and pressure to create each impression. The striking lines and vibrant colors result from the process of layering impressions, requiring careful registration and expert handling of materials. Ukiyo-e prints were produced on a large scale, meeting a growing demand for affordable art. In contrast to traditional ink paintings, these prints were accessible to a wider audience, reflecting the dynamics of a changing economy. Recognizing the artistic skill and collaborative labor involved in its production allows us to appreciate ukiyo-e prints like this not just as beautiful images, but also as artifacts of a specific time and place.