A Bedside Guide to the Colors of Love in Spring 1845 - 1855

This diptych was produced by Utagawa Kunisada, a prolific designer of Japanese woodblock prints, or *ukiyo-e*, in the 19th century. Kunisada’s prints were made through a complex division of labor. He would have begun by making a drawing, which was then transferred by specialist block cutters onto cherry wood. Separate blocks were made for each color, and these were handed to printers who applied the pigment and pressed the paper onto the block. The publisher oversaw the entire process, and was responsible for marketing and distribution. The *ukiyo-e* tradition was rooted in the floating world of pleasure quarters and theatrical entertainments. Kunisada’s works were commercial objects, designed to appeal to a broad audience, and speak to the aesthetic and cultural sensibilities of their time. The beautiful woman, the poetry, the flowers, and the subtle colors, are testament to the high level of skill, and the amount of work involved in their production. Appreciating their material qualities and social context helps us understand the full meaning of these images, beyond traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.