Three Children with Three Fighting Cocks Possibly 1767

Editor: This is Suzuki Harunobu's "Three Children with Three Fighting Cocks." It's a woodblock print, and I'm struck by how delicate the lines are. What can you tell me about the materials and process? Curator: Well, consider the labor involved. Woodblock printing demanded a collaboration of artisans: the artist, carver, printer, and publisher, each contributing to its commodification. What does the choice of this medium say about its intended audience and consumption? Editor: So it's less about individual genius and more about a collective effort and its market? It shifts my understanding. Curator: Precisely. Reflect on how the materiality and production are intrinsically linked to its social context and purpose.