Fishing (Senadori no zu), from the series "Dutch Perspective Pictures (Oranda uki-e)" c. 1768

Utagawa Toyoharu made this print, "Fishing," using woodblock and ink. The colors would have been applied in layers, using multiple blocks. This allowed Toyoharu to represent a scene with complex spatial perspective, which was a recent import to Japan from Dutch art. It’s fascinating to think about the labor involved. Someone had to carve each of those blocks, a highly skilled job. Paper was also precious, made by hand using techniques that are still prized today. And of course, Toyoharu himself had to have the technical facility and artistic vision to orchestrate the whole process. Seen in this light, the print is not just a pretty picture but an artifact of cultural exchange and skilled making. Appreciating the materials and techniques gives us a richer understanding, beyond simply regarding it as a "fine art" object.