Tanabe Bunzo on bales of rice c. 1812 - 1814

This print of Tanabe Bunzo seated on bales of rice was made by Utagawa Toyokuni I, a leading printmaker in Japan in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The image is a woodblock print, a medium known as “ukiyo-e,” or pictures of the floating world. The process begins with a drawing, which is then transferred to a block of wood, usually cherry. Using knives and chisels, the printmaker carves away the areas that will not be inked, leaving a raised surface. Ink is then applied to the block, and paper is laid on top. Pressure is applied to transfer the image to the paper. As you can see here, multiple blocks are used to create a single print. Each block is responsible for a different color. The bales of rice in this print speak to the economic engine of the time. Rice was not only a dietary staple but also a form of currency. Depicting an actor upon bales of rice subtly acknowledges the circulation of wealth that sustained not only the artist, but the entire Ukiyo-e tradition. This print reminds us that art doesn't exist in a vacuum. Instead, it's often deeply intertwined with labor, politics, and consumption.