The actor Ichikawa Ebizo IV as Takemura Sadanoshin 1794

This striking image of the actor Ichikawa Ebizo IV was created by Tōshūsai Sharaku, using woodblock printmaking techniques. It’s a process intimately tied to the culture of Edo-period Japan. Woodblock printing demanded careful collaboration between the artist, block carver, and printer. The artist would create the initial design, which was then meticulously transferred to wooden blocks, usually cherry. The carver used specialized tools to cut away the wood, leaving the design in relief. Finally, the printer applied ink to the block and pressed paper onto it to create the image, repeating the process for each color. The inherent qualities of wood, its grain and ability to hold fine detail, significantly influence the final print, with its crisp lines and flat planes of color. This wasn’t merely a commercial endeavor; it was a sophisticated interplay of design, skill, and material. This print, therefore, shouldn't be understood as simply a picture, but as the result of intensive collaborative labor, and a distinctive set of aesthetic values.