Toshogu Shrine Nikko 1940

Toshi Yoshida created this print of the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko using woodblock printing. Woodblock printing is a labor-intensive process, requiring careful carving of separate blocks for each color. Look closely and you'll see how each line and form is first incised in wood, leaving a raised surface to receive the ink. Consider the coordination between the carver, who cuts the block, and the printer, who applies the colors in precise registration. This craft tradition, known as *ukiyo-e*, historically served a mass market. The prints were relatively inexpensive and widely accessible. But here, the artist has chosen a refined subject – a famous shrine – elevating the status of the medium. The soft texture of the wood and the layering of colors create depth and atmosphere, more akin to a painting than a commercial print. Yoshida’s work reminds us that all art has a material basis, and that the means of production always contribute to the meaning of the image.