A Man and a Girl Walking in the Rice Fields 1770 - 1790

This print, 'A Man and a Girl Walking in the Rice Fields,' was made by Chōbunsai Eishi in Japan. The technique is woodblock printing – a process that's all about careful carving and layering. Eishi has used multiple blocks, each inked with a different color, to create the subtle tones and textures you see here. Notice how the lines of the robes have a wonderful tactile quality. This print wasn't made with any old materials; it's crafted using specialist papers and inks designed to capture the delicacy of his design. Woodblock printing was a highly skilled craft, demanding precision and patience. The final print is the result of collaboration, with specialist block cutters, printers and the artist working together to create multiple impressions. These prints were part of a flourishing commercial culture, eagerly consumed by urban audiences. They are a fantastic example of how artistic skill combines with craft production, speaking volumes about the society that made them.