Seki 1855

This print, Seki, was made by Utagawa Hiroshige using woodblock printing, a process integral to the visual culture of its time. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, was more than just a technique; it was a collaborative effort involving artists, carvers, printers, and publishers. Hiroshige's design, the *hanshita*, would have been meticulously transferred onto a woodblock, then carved, inked, and printed onto paper, layer by layer, with each color requiring a separate block. The subtle gradations of color and the crisp lines that define the landscape are a testament to the skill involved. This was a commercial art form, produced for a broad audience, reflecting the tastes and interests of the urban population. The very nature of the woodblock print—its replicability and accessibility—democratized art, making it available beyond elite circles. Understanding its making, and the wider context in which it was produced, invites us to reconsider traditional hierarchies between art and craft.