Young Woman Playing Battledore c. 1820 - 1830

Utagawa Kunihiro’s “Young Woman Playing Battledore” is a woodblock print. The texture of the paper itself is crucial, lending a tactile quality to the image. Consider the labor involved. First, an artist creates the master image. Highly skilled artisans then carve blocks for each color. These blocks are carefully inked, and the paper is pressed to receive the image. It is a chain of production, a distinctly social process. The final product belies the intense teamwork required. Note the quality of the line, and the subtle gradations of color. These were achieved by craftsmen honing their skills over years. The battledore itself, a paddle used in a badminton-like game, is rendered with a woven texture. This detail speaks to the way everyday materials and techniques were elevated through careful representation. By appreciating the materiality and making of this print, we can understand it not just as an image, but as a testament to human skill and collaborative effort. It bridges art and craft, reminding us of their shared roots in the world of work.