Usui Pass 1831

Totoya Hokkei produced this woodblock print, depicting Usui Pass, likely in the early 19th century. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, was a complex process involving carving a design into wood, applying ink, and pressing paper onto the block, usually using multiple blocks for different colors. Looking closely, the print's texture reveals the grain of the wood. Each color required a separate block, skillfully aligned to create the final image. The process was collaborative, involving artists, carvers, and printers, reflecting a division of labor akin to industrial production. *Ukiyo-e* prints were not considered high art, but rather a popular form of visual culture, affordable and widely distributed, reflecting the rise of a consumer culture in Edo-period Japan. The very act of making these prints contributed to the imagery they often depicted, influencing tastes and perceptions of the world. This print is not just a picture, it's a product of its time, enmeshed in social and economic currents. This highlights the importance of considering materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of the artwork.