Utamaro Okita 

Kitagawa Utamaro’s print of Okita was made with woodblocks and colored inks, using a process that was both artistic and industrial. The key block, carved with the outlines, would have been printed first, and then additional blocks applied to create areas of color. Note the delicate gradations of tone in Okita’s face, achieved by careful inking of the blocks and application of pressure. This was not simply a mechanical process, but a skilled craft. Utamaro was one of the great masters of ukiyo-e printmaking, which flourished in the Edo period. The subject matter – beautiful women, actors, and landscapes – spoke to the growing consumer culture of Japan's urban centers. Prints like these were relatively inexpensive and widely available, yet they demanded tremendous skill and a keen understanding of materials. Considering Utamaro’s technique brings us closer to the world in which he worked, and helps us appreciate the artistry involved in this popular art form.