Akoya met haar dienstmeisje 1845 - 1846

This print, “Akoya met haar dienstmeisje,” was created by Utagawa Hiroshige using woodblock printing, a quintessential technique of the Edo period. The process begins with a drawing, which is then meticulously transferred onto a block of wood, usually cherry. Skilled artisans carve away the negative space, leaving behind a raised image. Each color requires a separate block; Hiroshige's mastery is evident in the precise registration and delicate gradations achieved with multiple blocks. Look closely and you will see the subtle texture of the paper, made from the inner bark of the gampi tree, adding to the print’s tactile quality. Woodblock prints like this were not considered ‘high art’ in their day, but rather a popular, mass-produced commodity. They reflect the commercial culture of Edo-period Japan, making artistic expression accessible to a wide audience. The incredible level of handcraft and artistic skill that went into these prints challenges the traditional distinction between art and craft.