Title Page for the series "Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces of Great Japan (Dai Nihon Rokujuyo-shu meisho zue)" 1856

This is the title page for the series "Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces of Great Japan," made by Gengyo in the mid-19th century. It's a woodblock print, meaning each color you see was carefully carved into a separate block, inked, and then pressed onto paper. Far from being a straightforward, mechanical process, woodblock printing demanded incredible skill. The artist had to understand the properties of the wood, the behavior of the ink, and the pressure needed to create a clear impression. It was a labor-intensive process, reliant on division of labor among the artist, block cutter, and printer. Consider the texture of the paper, its absorbency, and the way the ink sits on its surface. These aren't just aesthetic qualities; they are the direct result of human intervention, evidence of a deep understanding of materials and their potential. Even a seemingly mass-produced print like this speaks to the rich history of craft and making.