Foreigners from the Five Nations Enjoying a Banquet 1861

Utagawa Yoshikazu created this woodblock print, showing foreigners at a banquet, probably in the 1860s. The visual effect is achieved through a multi-step process. Individual woodblocks were carved for each color, inked, and then carefully aligned to transfer the image onto paper. This labor-intensive method allowed for detailed and repeatable images, essential for a burgeoning market catering to curiosity about the wider world. Yoshikazu skillfully used the flat, graphic quality of the woodblock to depict the scene. Notice the intricate patterns in the clothing and the stylized rendering of the architectural details. The choice of this particular medium speaks to a moment of cultural exchange, as traditional Japanese printmaking techniques encountered new subjects tied to global trade and diplomacy. The print invites us to consider how cultural encounters are mediated through materials and making, complicating any simple distinction between art and craft.