Chushingura acteurs 1855

This print by Utagawa Kunisada depicts actors from the Chushingura story, and it was made using woodblock printing. This complex method involves carving a separate block for each color, and requires careful registration to align them perfectly. The texture of the paper is important here; it’s thin, absorbent ‘washi’ paper, made from the long inner fibers of the mulberry bush. It allows the ink to saturate the surface, giving the print its characteristic soft quality. The lines have a crispness that belies the material from which it was made. Woodblock printing demanded collaboration between the artist, carver, printer, and publisher. The designs would often circulate widely, making art accessible to a broad audience. Consider the intense labor involved, and how this reflects a society structured by class and commerce. By appreciating the materials and production processes, we understand how this artwork connected with people and politics of its time.