Collection of Humorous Leftovers (Kokkei zansai bukuro 滑稽残菜嚢) Possibly 1882

This is a page from "Collection of Humorous Leftovers", made in Japan by Kawanabe Kyosai in the late 19th century. The book is made from woodblock printing on paper, a process requiring highly skilled carving and printing techniques. The material of paper, so ubiquitous yet historically precious, influences the artwork's delicate nature and intimate scale. Woodblock printing involves meticulously carving an image into a wooden block, applying ink, and then pressing it onto paper to create a print. This labor-intensive method, deeply rooted in Japanese artistic tradition, imbues each print with cultural significance, reflecting both the artist's skill and the rich history of the medium. The humor of the scenes invites us to consider social commentary embedded within the images. By appreciating the artistry of woodblock printing, and the skilled labour involved, we recognize the social and cultural context in which it was created. It challenges the Western idea of fine art, and elevates popular artforms to a level of cultural and artistic significance.