Set of Utensils for the Tea Ceremony 1810s

Around the late 18th century, Kubo Shunman made this print of tea utensils, using woodblock printing, a process deeply embedded in Japanese culture. The appeal of this image is not in its subject, but in the method of its production. Woodblock printing demanded great skill. Each color required a separate block, painstakingly carved and then aligned precisely to create the final image. Shunman's mastery is evident in the delicate lines and subtle color gradations that bring these everyday objects to life. This wasn't just reproduction; it was an act of transformation, turning the mundane into the beautiful. Prints like these circulated widely, making art accessible. They are often overlooked in favor of unique artworks. But they offer a fascinating insight into a society where craft and art intertwined, serving both practical and aesthetic needs. Shunman asks us to reconsider where value truly lies: in the uniqueness of an object, or in the skill and artistry embedded in the process of its making.