Totsuka- Motomachi Fork c. 1832 - 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige created 'Totsuka-Motomachi Fork' as a woodblock print. The process begins with a drawing, transferred to a woodblock, and then carefully carved. Ink is applied, then paper laid on the block, and pressure applied to transfer the image. The key is that each color requires a separate block. Look closely, and you can see how the materiality of the wood itself influences the print’s aesthetic. The linear qualities of the image are a direct result of the carving process. The soft gradations of color are achieved through careful inking and printing, requiring precise registration of each block. This wasn't a solitary activity. The creation of these prints involved the artist, carvers, printers, and publishers. The division of labor, where skilled artisans contributed to the final product, reflects the economic realities of the time. Woodblock prints were commercial objects, made for a growing urban audience, and sold at relatively affordable prices. It's a mass medium, handmade.