The station Ejiri 

Utagawa Hiroshige created this print, 'The station Ejiri', using woodblock printing, a process integral to the rise of mass media in Japan. The image is realized through careful carving, inking, and pressing. Each color requires a separate block, demanding meticulous craftsmanship. Note how the print's inherent qualities – its flatness, the crispness of line, the layering of translucent colors – dictate its aesthetic. The labor is implicit; from the initial design to the artisans who translated it into wood, to the printers pulling each sheet. These prints weren't high art. They were affordable, mass-produced images, consumed by a broad audience. The subject matter, often landscapes or scenes of everyday life, reflected this accessibility. Consider, then, how this print exists at the intersection of artistry, industry, and popular culture, blurring the boundaries between fine art and craft.