Kimura Shigenari Overcoming Attackers 1881

This color woodblock print of Kimura Shigenari was made by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi in 1883, using a technique called nishiki-e. This method involves carving a separate block for each color, then carefully layering them to create a complex image. Yoshitoshi's masterful registration, or alignment, of the blocks is particularly evident in the fine lines of the samurai's armor. Wood is a direct material, it has a grain, and a particular density, that influences how it can be carved. The process of making nishiki-e prints was highly collaborative, involving the artist, block carver, and printer, each with specialized skills. This division of labor reflects the commercial nature of ukiyo-e prints, which were produced for a broad urban audience. Understanding the materials, the labor, and the social context in which artworks like this were produced helps us to move beyond simply appreciating the image to understanding the full complexity of its creation.