(Otonashisô, Tsukuda Shinchi no irifune), from the series Twelve Views of Modern Beauties (Imayô bijin jûni kei) 

This print was made by Keisai Eisen, as part of his series “Twelve Views of Modern Beauties.” Like other Ukiyo-e prints of the period, it was made using a multi-block process, requiring careful hand-carving of cherry wood, and meticulous registration of the image as each color was applied. The print depicts a woman pausing in her sewing, with a scroll overhead showing a distant view of ships at Tsukuda. Sewing was, of course, a common occupation at the time, whether for personal use, or as a form of piecework. Here, the woman appears to be embellishing the fabric, adding her own touch to the pattern already present. The artist is drawing a parallel between her careful craft and that of the printmaker above, who would have to ensure precision in every line. Whether a garment or a print, the maker’s attention to detail elevates the final product. That’s what makes it beautiful. It suggests a dignity to labor, at a time when the market was flooded with new commodities.