Het zwaard kogarasumaru van de Minamoto familie 1890 - 1900

This print, ‘Het zwaard kogarasumaru van de Minamoto familie’, was made by Katsushika Hokusai using woodblock printing, a method that blends craft, design, and materiality. The process begins with a drawing, transferred onto a block of wood, usually cherry. The artist then carves away the areas that should not receive ink, leaving a raised surface. Ink is applied, and paper laid on the block, transferring the image. For color prints, a separate block is needed for each color, demanding precision and careful registration. This print showcases the beauty of ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world," a genre reflecting urban culture. The lines are crisp, and the colors are flat and vibrant. Hokusai was not only an artist, but also a master craftsman, deeply involved in the labor-intensive aspects of print production. The cultural significance of this work lies in its reflection of a society where artistry and craftsmanship were intertwined, challenging distinctions between high art and everyday life.