Print 1742 - 1815

This print was created by Torii Kiyonaga using woodblocks, a process known as *ukiyo-e*. The smooth, delicate lines defining the figures and their clothing are achieved through a painstaking method. First, the artist carves the image into a block of wood. Ink is then applied, and paper carefully laid on the block to receive the impression. Color prints like this one required a separate block for each color, demanding a high level of precision. Think of the labor embedded within the print; not only Kiyonaga's design, but the carving, inking, and printing. Ukiyo-e prints became popular during the Edo period, as urban culture flourished, and merchants and artisans gained economic power. These prints, mass-produced yet requiring skilled handwork, reflect a society navigating the shifts of labor, consumption, and artistic expression. Ultimately, it's the intimate connection between hand, material, and social context that gives this print its enduring appeal. It serves as a reminder that even in mass production, the human touch remains visible.