Childrens' Lantern Float, Kojimachi 1,2, 3-chome Block Association, Sanno Festival 1771 - 1790

Torii Kiyonaga created this woodblock print of a children's lantern float during the Sanno Festival. This wasn't fine art in the European sense, but a popular print; an image intended to be widely consumed. Kiyonaga worked within a highly developed system of production, which included block cutters and printers, all of whom were essential to the image’s realization. Because the prints were made using multiple blocks, one for each color, there was room for tremendous subtlety. Look closely, and you can see the variations of color and texture that result. Prints like these offer a fascinating window onto the culture of Edo-period Japan. Here, we see children participating in a festival, carrying a large lantern float shaped like a dragon boat. The print not only captures a specific cultural moment, but also reflects the values and aspirations of the society that produced it. It is through an understanding of materials, making, and context that we can fully appreciate the significance of artworks like this, challenging any assumed distinctions between high art and craft.