Cloth-fulling Jewel River, from an untitled series of Six Jewel Rivers c. 1767

Suzuki Harunobu created this print, Cloth-fulling Jewel River, around 1766, using woodblock printing—a demanding process that gives the image its distinctive character. Each color you see required a separate block, meticulously carved and aligned. Consider how the texture of the wood itself subtly appears in the final print. This wasn’t just a reproductive technique; it was a deeply skilled practice. The block cutter had to translate Harunobu's vision, accounting for the way ink would interact with the paper, and the pressure applied during printing. Cloth-fulling, the process depicted, involved hammering fabric to soften and refine it. In this context, it elevates everyday labor to a refined art form. Harunobu merges the worlds of craft and fine art, inviting us to appreciate the artistry inherent in both. The print reminds us that all art is rooted in material processes, deeply connected to its social context.