Performer Entertaining Children 1832

This woodblock print, ‘Performer Entertaining Children,’ was made by Yamada Hōgyoku in 19th-century Japan. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, was a painstaking process. First, the design was drawn, then transferred to a wooden block. Using chisels and knives, the printer carved away the areas that would not be inked. Ink was then applied to the raised surfaces, and paper laid on top. Pressure was applied to transfer the image. Each color required a separate block, demanding great skill and precision. The *uchiwa-e*, or fan print, was a popular format in the Edo period, and often depicted scenes of everyday life. Here, we see an itinerant entertainer, a common sight in urban Japan, captivating an audience of children. The print's design would have been pasted onto a bamboo frame, creating a functional and beautiful object for personal use. Considered this way, the print embodies both artistry and commerce, high skill and popular appeal. Recognizing the labor and context behind objects like this challenges traditional art boundaries.