100. Nihon Embankment and Yoshiwara 1857

This is Nihon Embankment and Yoshiwara, a woodblock print made by Utagawa Hiroshige in nineteenth-century Japan. The image is composed of multiple blocks of wood, each carved to represent a different color. The process involves applying ink to the surface of these blocks, then pressing them onto paper. This labor-intensive technique highlights the contrast between the flat expanses of color and the fine details. Notice the procession of figures and carts moving along the embankment. The artist skillfully captures the scene through the repetitive, rhythmic patterns of the design, emphasizing the material qualities of the woodblock print, and giving it texture and depth. Hiroshige was part of a well-established tradition, but he brought his sensitivity to the depiction of daily life and landscape. In his work, the traditional distinction between fine art and craft blurs. This print is not just an image, it is a testament to the skill and labor involved in its creation.