Tama 1924

Shotei Takahashi made "Tama" using woodblock printing, a technique known as *ukiyo-e* that was popular in Japan. Here, the softness of the cat’s fur is contrasted by the sharp lines of the print. This balance is achieved through a meticulous process that blends craftsmanship with the demands of a growing consumer culture. Traditionally, *ukiyo-e* involved a collaboration between the artist, the wood carver, and the printer. Each block, often cherry wood, had to be carved with extreme precision. A separate block was required for each color, and these were layered to build up the final image. The flat, graphic quality seen here is a direct result of that process. Mass production of these prints became possible with the advent of industrialization and commercialization. The woodblock prints reflect broader shifts in society, where art production became more integrated with commercial activities. This piece asks us to reconsider what we consider as art, where the beauty of form meets the precision of labor.