Three Dancers of Sumiyoshi or Suminoye 19th century

This print, Three Dancers of Sumiyoshi, was created by Kubo Shunman in Japan using woodblock printing, a demanding process requiring a highly skilled hand. The work is characterized by flat planes of color and delicate lines, achieved through the precise carving of wooden blocks, one for each color. Notice the subtle variations in the paper, the way the ink bleeds slightly, and the registration of the colors, all of which reveal the hand of the maker. Woodblock printing was a complex, collaborative process, involving not just the artist, but also wood carvers, printers, and publishers. These prints were made for a mass audience, a kind of early form of commercial design. This artwork blurs the lines between art, craft, and industry. By acknowledging the labor involved in its creation, we gain a deeper appreciation for both the artistry and the social context in which it was made.