Snow at Hinoeda Shrine 1931

'Snow at Hinoeda Shrine' was made by Hasui Kawase using the traditional Japanese woodblock printing technique known as *ukiyo-e*. This method involves a division of labor, a collaboration between the artist, block carver, printer, and publisher, each a master of their respective crafts. Look closely, and you can see the intricate patterns and textures achieved by the careful layering of colors, each requiring a separate block. The lines are crisp and clean, a testament to the precision of the carving. The subtle gradations of color create a sense of depth and atmosphere, essential in depicting the softness of falling snow. Kawase worked at a time when photography threatened traditional printmaking. Yet the *ukiyo-e* style survived, in part because of its basis in a collective system of making. This print is not only a beautiful image, but also a record of a traditional workshop practice, adapted to the modern world. The artist was both a creative individual, and a crucial part of a larger, older process.