The Actors Sanogawa Ichimatsu I as Ike no Shoji and Segawa Kikujiro I as Hitachi Kohagi in the play "Mangetsu Oguri Yakata," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eighth month, 1747 1747

Torii Kiyonobu II created this woodblock print in 1747. The process of woodblock printing is fascinating. The artist would have started by drawing the composition, and then transferring that drawing onto a block of wood, usually cherry. Specialist carvers would then cut away the negative space around the lines, leaving a raised surface to hold the ink. This block was then inked, and a sheet of paper laid on top. By rubbing the back of the paper, the image would transfer. Each color required a separate block, demanding meticulous alignment. Look closely, and you can see the slight misregistrations, particularly in the green areas. It is a labor-intensive process, involving a collaboration between artist, carver, and printer. In the Edo period, prints like these were relatively inexpensive, produced for a mass market eager for images of their favorite actors. By understanding the making, we can appreciate the artistry involved, and the place of this print within a wider system of craft and commerce.