Yoshitsune and Benkei at Ataka barrier 1765

This print of Yoshitsune and Benkei at Ataka barrier was made by Ran-u using traditional Japanese woodblock printing techniques. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, was a highly collaborative process. The artist would create a design, which was then carved into a series of woodblocks, one for each color. The printer would then apply ink to the blocks and press them onto paper, carefully aligning each color layer. In this print, the flat planes of color and bold outlines are characteristic of *ukiyo-e*. The medium lends itself to stylized representations, emphasizing form and pattern over realistic detail. The texture of the wood grain can be seen in some areas, adding a tactile quality to the image. The materiality of the print, its flatness and reliance on line, gives it a graphic quality. The production of *ukiyo-e* prints was closely tied to the rise of a merchant class and popular culture in the Edo period. These prints were relatively inexpensive and widely accessible, and their themes often reflected the interests and values of urban dwellers. By understanding the materials, making, and context, we can appreciate the full meaning of this artwork.