from the illustrated book "Kachō gaden" 

Editor: Here we have "from the illustrated book "Kachō gaden"" by Katsushika Taito II. The birds and plum blossoms are so delicately rendered, but what strikes me most is the texture of the paper itself. What can you tell me about how this piece was made? Curator: Focusing on its production, consider the woodblock printing process. The labor involved in carving the blocks, the specific types of wood used, and the pigments ground and applied are all crucial to understanding its materiality. How does this interplay of labor and material affect our perception? Editor: I never thought about it that way, but understanding the process helps me appreciate the skill and effort that went into creating this image. Curator: Exactly! By analyzing the means of production, we can move beyond simply appreciating the image to understanding its social and economic context.