Gyoku-kashi Eimo Preparing Calligraphy Offerings 1772 - 1792

This woodblock print by Torii Kiyonaga, presents a scene of women preparing calligraphy offerings. The print's aesthetic is deeply rooted in the techniques of Ukiyo-e, where each color requires a separate block, meticulously carved and aligned to build the final image. The flat planes of color and bold outlines, characteristic of woodblock printing, emphasize the graphic quality of the design. The act of preparing calligraphy itself speaks to the significance of skilled handwork in Japanese society. We see the care taken in grinding ink, selecting brushes, and arranging paper – all labor-intensive steps. Consider also the cultural context, the print was made for mass consumption, a commodity produced within the burgeoning capitalist economy of Edo-period Japan. The work therefore reflects an interesting tension between commodification and the enduring value of craft skills. These elements – the materiality of the woodblock, the labor of production, and the cultural context – all contribute to our understanding. It is a product, and a work of art.