Sawamura Sōjūrō III as Satsuma Gengobei 1795

This print by Tōshūsai Sharaku depicts the actor Sawamura Sōjūrō III as Satsuma Gengobei, and was made using woodblock printing, a quintessential technique of the Edo period. The process begins with a drawing, which is then adhered to a block of wood, usually cherry. A carver uses chisels to carefully remove the wood around the lines, leaving a raised surface. Ink is then applied, and the image transferred to paper by rubbing or pressing. The polychrome effect comes from using a separate block for each color, requiring precise registration. Woodblock prints like this one were produced for mass consumption, reflecting a culture of urban entertainment and celebrity. The labor-intensive process, divided among artist, carver, printer, and publisher, highlights the collaborative nature of ukiyo-e production, and a highly developed commercial system. Paying attention to such processes and contexts allows us to appreciate not only the visual appeal of this print, but also the complex social and economic forces that shaped its creation.