["Benkei leaping on Tosabô's horse", 'Gleanings of seven iroha'] 1856 - 1858

This woodblock print, "Benkei leaping on Tosabô's horse", was made by Utagawa Kunisada, a leading artist in Japan during the Edo period. Kunisada worked within a highly developed system of production, where the publisher, designer, block cutter, and printer collaborated. The image is created through meticulous carving and layering of colors, with each impression demanding precision and skill. The texture of the paper, combined with the delicate lines and vibrant pigments, gives a tactile quality to the scene. The woodblock medium itself infuses a unique cultural significance, as prints like this were not only artistic expressions but also commodities, widely circulated among the merchant classes. The dynamic composition and theatrical figures, rendered with careful attention to costume and expression, speak to the rich traditions of Kabuki theatre and warrior tales. The labor and artistry involved in this print reflect the complex interplay of commerce, culture, and creativity in 19th-century Japan. Appreciating this artwork means recognizing the integration of craft, design, and cultural narratives, challenging our conventional notions of artistic creation.