A Page from Possibly from the Picture Book -Tokiwa-gusa- c. 1731

This page, possibly from the picture book Tokiwa-gusa, was made by Nishikawa Sukenobu in Japan, and it is a woodblock print on paper. Consider how the artist had to carve away the wood to create the composition. Note that a separate block would need to be prepared for each color printed. The black ink used to create the lines of the woodblock is made of soot, mixed with glue, and then carefully applied to the block. The process involved considerable labor; from preparing the paper, drawing and carving the design, to applying ink and hand-printing each sheet. These prints were commercial products, made for a growing urban audience. When we consider the amount of work and craft involved in making this image, we get a deeper sense of its value, seeing it not just as a picture, but as a product of skill and tradition.