Okazaki 1906

Utagawa Hiroshige created this print of Okazaki, using woodblocks and colored inks. The process is deceptively simple: the artist carves the image into woodblocks, applies ink, and presses the block onto paper. But consider the labor involved. Each color requires a separate block, demanding immense skill and time to ensure precise registration. Look closely and you’ll notice how the texture of the wood grain subtly appears in the print, giving it a tactile quality despite its flatness. This print wasn’t intended as a unique work of art, but as a mass-produced commodity for a growing urban audience. The subject matter is everyday life, as we see travelers crossing a bridge, laden with goods. It speaks to the rise of a merchant class, and the increasing importance of trade and transportation in Japanese society. Hiroshige elevates a common scene to something beautiful, showing us the value in both the artistic process and the lives it depicts. It blurs the lines between art, craft, and the everyday.