Illustrated Encyclopedia of China (Morokoshi kinmō zui) 1718 - 1719

This page from the Illustrated Encyclopedia of China was created in Japan by Tachibana Morikuni, sometime before 1748. It’s a woodblock print, and the paper would have been made by hand, from the inner bark of the mulberry tree. The process begins with a drawing, which is then carefully transferred to a block of wood, usually cherry. Using specialized knives and chisels, the carver then painstakingly removes the negative space, leaving the lines of the design in relief. Ink is applied to the surface, and paper is carefully laid on top. By rubbing the back of the paper, the image is transferred. Look closely and you can see the even pressure and careful registration required for a print like this. It would have taken tremendous skill and patience. The encyclopedia format speaks to an ambition to classify and control knowledge. Consider the labor-intensive nature of its production, and the desire for reproducible information. It represents a moment of intersection between craft production and intellectual aspiration.