Persimmons and White-Eyes 1880

This print, "Persimmons and White-Eyes", was made by Kobayashi Kiyochika using woodblock printing, a technique deeply rooted in Japanese craft traditions. Look closely, and you can see how the grain of the woodblock subtly textures the surface, giving depth to the persimmons and the delicate feathers of the birds. Each color would have required a separate block, meticulously carved and aligned, a testament to the skill of the artisans involved. Woodblock printing was not just a technique, but also an industry. It involved the coordinated labor of artists, carvers, and printers, all working to produce images for a growing urban market. The beauty of these prints lies not only in their aesthetic appeal, but also in the social context of their making, reflecting a blend of artistic expression and industrial production. Understanding this interplay of material, making, and context allows us to appreciate the full depth of Kiyochika's work.