Praying for Rain Komachi (Amagoi Komachi) c. 1615 - 1868

This print, Praying for Rain Komachi, was made by Ishikawa Toyonobu in eighteenth-century Japan. It's a woodblock print, a process involving multiple blocks, one for each color. Consider the labor involved in creating such a print; from preparing the wood to precise carving, and the skilled inking and printing of each layer. The design is delicate, depicting a woman beneath an umbrella, seemingly conjuring rain. The lines are crisp, but there is also a sense of softness, particularly in the woman’s robes. Notice the subtle gradations of color, achieved by the careful application of ink. This demands expertise, but also a deep sensitivity to the materials. Woodblock printing wasn't only an artistic technique; it was also a mode of mass production. Prints like these were relatively affordable, bringing art to a wider audience. So this print invites us to consider not only the aesthetic qualities, but also the social context of its making, distribution and consumption. By understanding the process, we gain a fuller appreciation of the work itself.