Tools for the Carpenter 19th century

Ryūryūkyo Shinsai made this print, "Tools for the Carpenter," in Japan in the early 19th century using woodblock printing. The materiality of this work speaks volumes about the traditions it comes from. Woodblock printing is an old technology, which involves carving a design into a block of wood, applying ink, and then pressing the block onto paper. The process requires immense skill in carving, careful registration of colors, and high-quality paper to capture fine details. The texture of the wood subtly appears in the print, reminding us of the handmade nature of the process. The imagery here also speaks to work and process, in particular the tools of a carpenter. These aren't just any tools, though. They are idealized versions, carefully ornamented. This elevates the status of craft and manual labor, depicting tools as objects of beauty and cultural significance, rather than just instruments of labor. In doing so, the print underscores the intimate connection between materials, making, and culture.