Poling a Boat in the Moonlit Water 1866

“Poling a Boat in the Moonlit Water” was made by Hanzan Matsukawa in 19th-century Japan using woodblock printing techniques. This print exemplifies 'ukiyo-e', or "pictures of the floating world," that were popular in urban centers like Edo. It’s a medium that emerged in tandem with a burgeoning merchant class, catering to their tastes and interests. The process begins with a keyblock, carved to define the image, followed by multiple blocks for each color. These are then meticulously printed in sequence. The flat, graphic quality of the print emphasizes line and form, imbuing the scene with a sense of immediacy. Consider the labor involved: from the artist’s design to the carver’s skilled hands, and the printer’s careful registration of each color. The print captures a slice of life that is both ordinary and artful, reflecting the material culture and social dynamics of its time. Woodblock prints democratized art production, making images accessible to a wide audience.