Yasuhide, from the series "Six Immortal Poets (Rokkasen)" c. 1789 - 1790

This print, part of the series "Six Immortal Poets (Rokkasen)", was created by Chōbunsai Eishi in Japan, employing the technique of woodblock printing. The materiality of this artwork is inextricably linked to its process. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, necessitated a collaboration between the artist, who designed the image; the block carver, who translated the design onto wood; and the printer, who applied ink and pressed the block onto paper. The flat, graphic quality of the print, with its clear outlines and blocks of color, results directly from this method. The labor-intensive nature of *ukiyo-e* also reflects the social context in which it was produced. These prints were not unique artworks, but rather commodities, produced in multiples for a growing urban audience. They served as a form of mass media, disseminating images of popular culture. The beauty of this print lies not only in the artist's design, but also in the skilled labor and collaborative process that brought it into being, challenging our understanding of both art and craft.