The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro II as a Samuri. 1725 - 1745

This print depicting the actor Ichikawa Danjuro II as a samurai was created by Torii Kiyomasu I in the early 18th century. It’s a woodblock print, a quintessential example of ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world." The process begins with a drawing, which is then meticulously transferred to a woodblock, usually cherry. The areas around the lines are carved away, leaving a raised surface to hold the ink. Each color requires a separate block, and the printer carefully aligns each one to create the final image. The keyblock, defining the outline, is usually printed first. What’s so interesting about this mode of production is that it necessitates a division of labor: the artist, the carver, the printer, and the publisher each play a vital role. This collaborative approach allowed for the mass production and dissemination of art, reflecting the burgeoning consumer culture of the Edo period. The very nature of the print, made for popular consumption, challenges traditional notions of art as a unique, handcrafted object. In this way, the image is inseparable from its social context, blurring the lines between commerce, craft, and artistic expression.