The God of Good Fortune Daikoku, on Horseback, Being Led by an Ohara Maiden 1834

This print of Daikoku, the god of good fortune, being led by an Ohara maiden, was made by Hokkyō Kōitsu, using the woodblock technique. It is a great example of Ukiyo-e. Think about the process: each color requires a separate block, carefully carved, inked, and then pressed onto the paper. This division of labor suggests a workshop setting, where teams of artisans would collaborate to create the final print. The crispness of the lines and the subtle gradations of color indicate the skill of the carvers and printers involved. The print's material qualities – the smoothness of the paper, the vibrancy of the inks – all speak to the culture of consumption and the networks of production that sustained the Ukiyo-e industry. The woodblock technique, traditionally associated with folk art and commercial printing, blurs the line between high art and craft, inviting us to reconsider our understanding of artistic value and the social context in which art is made and consumed.