Minamoto Yorimitsu Ason Watching a Spider 1865

This print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi depicts Minamoto Yorimitsu, a historical figure famed for his courage, watching a giant spider, and was made using woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*. The key to *ukiyo-e* prints is the intimate relationship between artist, block cutter, and printer. Each played a vital role in the production of the work. The artist would create the initial design, which was then meticulously carved into woodblocks. This was a highly skilled craft in itself. The printer then applied ink to these blocks, pressing them onto paper to create the final image. Note the patterns on the robe and the accuracy of the tiny spider on the box, and the inscription cartouche. Woodblock printing allowed for mass production, reaching a broad audience beyond the elite circles. While Yoshitoshi was one of the last great masters of *ukiyo-e*, he was working in a time of industrialization, when the traditional mode of handmade production was being challenged. This print is a testament to the enduring appeal, and skill, of *ukiyo-e*.