Tago Bay near Ejiri on the Tōkaidō 1830 - 1833

This print, titled "Tago Bay near Ejiri on the Tōkaidō," was made by Katsushika Hokusai using woodblock printing, a process called *ukiyo-e* in Japan. The print is made with multiple blocks, one for each color, carefully carved and then printed in succession onto paper. Look closely, and you can see how the material—the wood itself—defines the image. The grain subtly textures the sky and water, adding depth and movement. It is a relatively cheap and efficient way to produce images, and was very popular. Now, think about the labor involved in the production of this print. Each color requires a separate block, meaning multiple skilled artisans were needed to carve, align, and print each layer. The publisher was responsible for organizing the team of block carvers, printers, and artists. Thinking about the material, making, and context of this artwork helps us appreciate its full meaning.