The Falls at Aoigaoka in the Eastern Capital c. 1832

"The Falls at Aoigaoka in the Eastern Capital" was made by Katsushika Hokusai using woodblock printing, a meticulous process involving carving a design into wood, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. The linear quality of the print, alongside the flat blocks of color, are dependent on the qualities of the woodblock. You can see this in the textures of the trees, water, and stone. The process is labor-intensive, demanding great skill from the artist and the printmakers involved. Woodblock prints were a relatively affordable art form, which allowed artists like Hokusai to reach a broad audience. The ability to produce multiples democratized art, making it accessible beyond the elite. In this print, Hokusai masterfully captures the beauty of nature and the everyday lives of people in Edo-period Japan. By considering the materials and processes involved, we gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and cultural significance of woodblock prints, challenging traditional hierarchies between art and craft.