Print 1786 - 1854

This print was made by Utagawa Kunisada, using traditional techniques of woodblock printing. Look closely, and you can see how the flat planes of color are built up in layers. Each color would have required a separately carved block, carefully aligned to produce the overall image. This labor-intensive process was divided among specialists, from the artist who made the original design to the carvers and printers who brought it to life. The print’s visual appeal stems from the textures and patterns achieved by these methods. Note the crispness of the lines defining the figure’s kimono, contrasted with the softer gradations of the landscape. The checkerboard pattern of the kimono itself suggests the urban culture that supported this art form. Woodblock prints like this one were commercial products, made for a wide audience. Consider the many hands involved in its making, and how that collective effort contributes to its beauty and cultural significance. It bridges the realms of fine art and craft.