Center Sheet of a Triptych of The Battle of the Uji River (Ujikawa kassen no zu) 

Curator: This dynamic woodblock print is the center panel of a triptych, "The Battle of the Uji River" by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Editor: My first impression is pure drama, the churning water and warrior are vividly rendered. Curator: Absolutely. Kuniyoshi, who lived from 1797 to 1861, excelled at depicting heroic tales like this one. Consider how the artist uses the medium of woodblock printing to elevate a specific class to an epic stature. Editor: And look at the detail of the warrior's armor; the labor and materials needed for it would surely signal the man's class standing. I wonder about the techniques he employed to achieve such intricate lines. Curator: The narrative is definitely steeped in social and political power, the battle itself a clash of differing ideologies. Editor: Thinking about the production, from the artist to the carvers and printers involved, reveals layers of craft and skill. Curator: Indeed, understanding the print's narrative, along with its historical context, can give us insight into the warrior figure’s identity. Editor: I agree, examining the materials and methods can highlight the labor and skill involved in its creation.