Viewing Cherry Blossoms at Goten Hill c. 1787

Chōbunsai Eishi created this print, "Viewing Cherry Blossoms at Goten Hill," using woodblock printing, a demanding craft requiring immense skill. The process begins with a drawing, which is then carefully transferred to a block of wood, usually cherry. A highly trained artisan then carves away the negative space, leaving the lines of the design in relief. Ink is applied to the surface, and paper is laid on top. By rubbing the back of the paper, the image is transferred. Each color requires a separate block. Look closely, and you can see the subtle textures of the paper and the crispness of the lines, a testament to the artisan's expertise. Woodblock prints like this were a popular art form, relatively affordable and widely distributed, yet no less beautiful for that. Consider the labor involved in each stage, from the cultivation of the cherry trees to the final print. By attending to these processes, we gain a deeper understanding not only of the image, but also of the society that produced it.