Three Heroes of the Water Margin Capture the Bandit Queen Ichijōsei, from the series One Hundred Eight Heroes of the Theater Suikoden 1825 - 1845

"Three Heroes of the Water Margin Capture the Bandit Queen Ichijōsei" was created by Shunbaisai Hokuei in Japan, using woodblock printing techniques. Woodblock prints like this one rely on the skilled labor of artisans. The artist would create a drawing, which was then transferred to a wood block, usually cherry. Craftsmen carved away the negative space, leaving the lines of the design in relief. Ink was applied to the surface, and then paper laid on top, rubbed to transfer the image. Each color required a separate block, demanding careful alignment. The texture and visual depth come from this layering process. The flat expanses of color – the blues of the sky, the greens and reds of the queen's clothing – are set off by the crispness of the lines. The overall effect is one of dynamic energy, perfectly suited to the dramatic subject matter. Considering the labor-intensive process and the many people involved in the print's production helps us to appreciate the significance of Japanese prints in the history of art and design, moving beyond traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.