Two Heroes Fighting atop Hōryūkaku 1885

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi created this woodblock print of two heroes battling on a rooftop in 1839. Woodblock printing is an indirect process; the artist draws, then a carver cuts away the wood to leave the design in relief. Ink is then applied to the surface, and finally, paper is laid on top and rubbed to transfer the image. This is a labor-intensive craft, with each color requiring a separate block. Consider the precision of the lines, the flat application of color, and the subtle gradations achieved through careful inking. Woodblock prints like this one were not considered high art but were popular, affordable images that were widely distributed. It is easy to overlook the skill and labor involved in its creation, given the relative ease with which multiples can be produced. Thinking about the process and context allows us to appreciate this artwork beyond conventional aesthetic categories.