Penis wedstrijd c. 1870 - 1880

This print, *Penis wedstrijd*, was made by Kawanabe Kyōsai in 19th-century Japan using woodblock printing. Kyōsai masterfully used the ukiyo-e tradition—prints from carved wood blocks—to create this bawdy, carnivalesque scene. Notice how the key block outlines each figure, imbuing the image with a bold graphic quality. Then, areas of color are added using separate blocks, each carefully aligned. The artist was working within a long line of popular imagery here, but he certainly gave it his own spin. The relative ease of producing woodblock prints meant that this image could be widely distributed and enjoyed by a broad audience. And despite the ribald subject matter, the skill and labor involved in carving and printing the blocks elevate it beyond mere ephemera. By combining traditional craft with popular culture, Kyōsai blurred the lines between high and low art, creating something truly unique.