Yu, from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)" 1898

Tsukioka Kôgyo created this print of Yu as part of his series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)". It employs the traditional Japanese woodblock printing technique known as *ukiyo-e*. *Ukiyo-e*, or "pictures of the floating world", flourished from the 17th through 19th centuries, and was embraced by a growing merchant class looking for affordable art. The *ukiyo-e* process involves carving a design into a block of wood, applying ink, and then pressing paper onto the block to transfer the image. Each color requires a separate block, demanding meticulous registration. The final print bears witness to the precision of the carving and the alignment of the blocks. This print gives us a glimpse into the cultural and economic life of the Edo period. It's a reminder that art is not just about the image, but also about the materials, the making, and the social context in which it was created.