Nimin Okina, from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)" 1898

Tsukioka Kôgyo made this woodblock print, Nimin Okina, around the turn of the 20th century. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, is a labor-intensive process; each color requires a separate block, meticulously carved and aligned, or registered, to create the final image. The keyblock establishes the composition, line by line. Kôgyo's print showcases the refined skill of the carvers and printers, visible in the crisp lines of the robes and fans. The even application of color, and the subtle gradations within the patterned garments speak to the expertise involved. Prints like this were commercial products, made for a growing urban audience with an appetite for images of theater, beautiful women, and landscapes. Though often dismissed as mere multiples, *ukiyo-e* prints represent a fascinating intersection of artistic skill, technical ingenuity, and popular culture, and challenge traditional notions of artmaking hierarchies.