Fuwa Bansaku and the Monster 1865

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi created this woodblock print, "Fuwa Bansaku and the Monster," in Japan. Woodblock printing, or ukiyo-e, demanded a deep understanding of materials, from the selection of the wood to the mixing of pigments. The process involved carving a separate block for each color, a laborious task requiring precise hand-eye coordination. Consider the flat planes of color, the crispness of the lines – these aren't accidents. The density of the ink determines the depth of color, the grain of the wood gives texture, and the pressure of the baren, the tool used to transfer the image to paper, influences the final print's luminosity. The artist would rely on the skilled labor of woodworkers and printers. These artisanal practices, while often overlooked in discussions of fine art, are central to the work’s creation and, therefore, its meaning. When you look at the print, think of the many hands involved in its making, and the traditions of craft and skill that Yoshitoshi drew upon. In doing so, you begin to see how deeply intertwined art is with the world of labor, skill, and cultural exchange.