Escape of Emperor Godaigo, from the series "The Unofficial History of Japan (Nihon gaishi no uchi)" 1885

Kobayashi Kiyochika’s "Escape of Emperor Godaigo" is a woodblock print, a process that deeply influenced its appearance. The image is composed of multiple blocks, each meticulously carved to represent a different color. Look closely, and you can see how each block is inked and then pressed onto paper in precise registration. Wood’s inherent grain, hardness, and capacity to hold fine detail all define the image. These blocks were likely carved by skilled artisans, rather than by Kiyochika himself. This division of labor was central to the production of ukiyo-e prints, which were made for a mass market. The act of carving and printing imbues this artwork with cultural significance, a direct product of a workshop system of making that served both artistic expression and commercial viability. The artist, the carver, the printer, and the publisher: all were essential to the final artwork. This challenges the Western idea of the artist as a solitary genius. Instead, we see a cooperative mode of production that acknowledges the value of craft and collective labor in the creation of art.