Oiran and two Shinzô admiring, cherry blossoms of Nakanochô 

This print, by Katsushika Hokusai, shows an Oiran with two Shinzô admiring cherry blossoms, and was made using the traditional technique of woodblock printing. In this process, the artist carves a design into a block of wood, applies ink to the raised surface, and then presses paper onto the block to create an image. Each color requires a separate block, demanding careful alignment and registration, showing the amount of work that went into the production process. The linear quality and flat planes of color are characteristic of woodblock prints. Notice how Hokusai used line to define the forms of the figures and their garments, and how the colors are applied in a bold, graphic manner. The subject matter itself—an Oiran, or high-ranking courtesan, enjoying the cherry blossoms—also speaks to the social context in which this print was made. Oiran were celebrated figures in Edo-period Japan, known for their beauty, wit, and artistic talents. This print offers a glimpse into their world, inviting us to consider the complex relationships between art, commerce, and social status in this period.