Horned Owl on Flowering Branch c. early 19th century

This print of a horned owl on a flowering branch was made by Kubo Shunman in Japan, sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, using woodblock printing. The process begins with a drawing, then artisans transfer the image to a series of cherry woodblocks, one for each color. The printer then carefully applies ink to these blocks, and presses them in sequence onto paper. Shunman’s print would have required significant teamwork, dividing labor in ways that prefigure modern manufacturing. Note the soft texture of the owl's plumage, the delicate lines of the flowering branch, and the subtle gradations of color. Each impression is a collaboration, combining the artist’s vision with the skill of the wood carvers and printers. The division of labor, and the efficient distribution of these charming images, speaks volumes about the commercial culture of the Edo period. Understanding the labor and materiality involved in producing prints like this helps us appreciate them as both art and commodity.