A married woman in the Meiji Period 

This woodblock print of a married woman in the Meiji Period was made by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. Woodblock prints like this are created through a labor-intensive process. Each color requires a separate block, meticulously carved by skilled artisans. Look closely, and you can see the evidence of this handwork in the subtle variations of the lines and colors. The choice of colors also influences the appearance of the artwork, and there are many. The woman's Western-style clothing, like her hat and jacket, made of woven cotton or silk, speak volumes about the influence of Western fashion during the Meiji era. This reflects Japan's opening to global trade and cultural exchange. Consider the layers of labor involved in the creation of this artwork: from the artist who designed the image, to the woodblock carvers, and the printers who applied the colors, layer by layer. Paying attention to the materials and processes used in creating art like this print, helps us understand it, and appreciate the full meaning of this artwork.