Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1: Crabs and Lotus Blossoms 1805 - 1810

This print, Crabs and Lotus Blossoms, was made in Japan in the early 19th century, by Ryūryūkyo Shinsai. It's a woodblock print, a process that involves carving an image into a block of wood, inking it, and then pressing paper against it. The material of the wood itself lends a subtle texture to the print, visible in the grain. The artist would have needed meticulous skill to carve the delicate lines and forms of the crabs and lotus blossoms. Notice the way the ink, likely made from ground pigments, sits on the paper, creating subtle variations in tone and depth. Woodblock printing was not only a craft, but also an industry, with workshops producing prints for a growing urban audience. The labor-intensive process reflects a culture where skilled handwork was valued, and where images could be reproduced and disseminated widely. This print, therefore, represents a convergence of artistic skill, technical process, and social context. It is a reminder of the rich history embedded within the materials and methods of production.