Winter, from the series "Elegant Play in the Four Seasons" (Fūryūshiki asobi) 1763 - 1785

Isoda Koryūsai created this woodblock print, "Winter, from the series 'Elegant Play in the Four Seasons'" using the ukiyo-e technique. This process, meaning "pictures of the floating world," hinges on meticulous carving and printing. The artist first draws the design, then skilled artisans transfer it onto a woodblock, carving away the negative space. Separate blocks are created for each color, which are applied in layers. The final print emerges from the careful alignment and pressing of these blocks onto paper. The flat planes and clear outlines are characteristic of ukiyo-e, designed to be easily and quickly replicated. These prints were not considered "high art" as the process was more akin to industrial production than singular artwork. These images were readily available to the masses, reflecting and shaping popular taste.