Young Woman Walking on a Windy Day c. 1758

Ishikawa Toyonobu created this print, "Young Woman Walking on a Windy Day," using woodblock printing, a technique known as *ukiyo-e*. The materials and processes involved in *ukiyo-e* are fascinating, and deeply connected to the social context of Edo-period Japan. This wasn't just an individual pursuit, but a collaborative effort. An artist like Toyonobu would create the original design, which was then carved into separate woodblocks – one for each color – by highly skilled artisans. Paper, often made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree, was crucial. Finally, a printer would carefully layer the colors, bringing the image to life. The flat expanses of color and strong outlines were a direct result of this method. And *ukiyo-e* itself was a product of its time – affordable and accessible, reflecting the burgeoning urban culture and the lives of ordinary people. This print, like so many others, blurs the lines between art, craft, and industry, inviting us to consider the labor and expertise behind its creation.