The Actor Ichikawa Omezo I as the Boatman Takihei (?) in the Play Ofunamori Ebi no Kaomise (?), Performed at the Kawarazaki Theater (?) in the Eleventh Month, 1792 (?) c. 1792

Katsukawa Shun'ei's woodblock print of 1792 depicts the actor Ichikawa Omezo I as a boatman. This isn't just an image; it’s a product of collaboration, a moment captured through the skilled labor of artists, block carvers, and printers. Consider the woodblock itself, typically cherry, chosen for its fine grain. The artist’s design was painstakingly transferred, then carved in relief. Each color in the print demanded a separate block, layering hues with incredible precision to produce the final image. Notice the flat planes of color and bold outlines, achieved by pressing the paper against the inked block. Woodblock printing was more than a craft, it was an industry, reflecting the dynamic culture of Edo-period Japan. Prints like these were not precious objects, but affordable commodities that popularized theater and its stars. They brought the spectacle of the stage into the everyday lives of ordinary people. The labor involved in the production of woodblock prints highlights the interconnections between art, commerce, and popular culture.