Black 19th century

This print, "Black," was made by Kubo Shunman in the late 18th or early 19th century, using woodblock printing techniques. These objects depicted, including tea bowls and boxes, speak to the importance of tea ceremonies during the Edo period. The soft hues and delicate lines belie the intensive labor that went into the production. Woodblock printing demanded collaboration between the artist, the carver who translated the design into wooden blocks, and the printer who applied ink and pressure to transfer the image to paper. This division of labor mirrors wider social structures. While Shunman, as the artist, might have enjoyed a certain status, the unseen hands of the carvers and printers were equally essential to the work's creation. The print’s subtle textures and colors are a testament to the skill and precision required at each stage of production. By attending to both the artistry and the modes of production involved, we gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural context in which it was made.