Futakawa c. 1832 - 1833

"Futakawa" was made by Utagawa Hiroshige, using woodblock printing – a process rooted in careful labor and material knowledge. Imagine thin sheets of cherry wood, meticulously carved to create a matrix. The artist would have transferred their design onto the wood, then painstakingly removed the negative space with chisels and knives. Ink, mixed with rice paste, is applied to the remaining raised surfaces, then paper is laid on top and rubbed to transfer the image. Each color requires a separate block, demanding precise registration and planning. Look closely, and you can almost feel the labor involved in the creation of this artwork. The subtle variations in tone, the delicate lines – all speak to the hand of the maker and the inherent qualities of wood as a printing medium. By emphasizing the labor-intensive process of woodblock printing, Hiroshige elevates this traditional craft to fine art. The material and its transformation are key to understanding its cultural significance, blurring the boundaries between art and craft.