Japanese White-eyes on a Maple Branch Possibly 1854

Utagawa Hiroshige created this woodblock print, *Japanese White-eyes on a Maple Branch*, using a technique called *ukiyo-e*. Hiroshige wasn't carving the block himself. Instead, he was part of a sophisticated production system, in which professional carvers transferred the artist's design onto a series of cherry woodblocks, one for each color. Printers then used these blocks to create a layered impression, building up the image. The soft, absorbent nature of the paper allowed for incredible detail, and the translucent inks give the print a luminous quality. Consider all the labor involved in the production of this print: from the growing and preparation of the cherry woodblocks to the sourcing of pigments and the skilled labor of carving and printing. In its time, this print would have been relatively inexpensive, but the skills required were considerable. Looking at this print, we should appreciate not only Hiroshige's artistry, but also the collaborative system that brought his vision to life.