The Sumo Wrestler Tanikaze and the Waitress Okita of the Naniwaya c. 1794

This print, dating from the late 1700s, was made by Katsukawa Shunchō using the Ukiyo-e woodblock technique. The smooth, almost creamy texture of the paper gives a tactile quality to the image, contrasting with the sharp, precise lines that define the figures. Ukiyo-e prints were a product of sophisticated teamwork. The artist would make a drawing, which was then meticulously carved into woodblocks, one for each color. These blocks were then used to create the final print, building up layers of color. This division of labor made it possible to produce prints quickly and in large numbers. The prints often featured celebrities of the day, like the Sumo wrestler depicted here, and other scenes of everyday life. Inexpensive and widely available, these prints blurred the lines between commercial product and fine art. The work gives us insight into the modes of production and consumption of the era, reminding us that even seemingly simple objects can be rich with cultural meaning.