Book of Humorous Poems Named "Hundred Thousand Birds" 1830

This woodblock printed book of humorous poems, entitled "Hundred Thousand Birds," was created by Utagawa Kunisada, a prolific artist working in Japan in the 19th century. The work is made using a multi-block printing process, requiring careful registration to align colors. The materiality of the woodblock print is evident in the flat planes of color, the crisp outlines, and the subtle variations in texture. The process begins with carving a series of separate woodblocks, one for each color. These were then inked and pressed onto paper in sequence. This required a team of skilled block carvers, printers, and publishers, illustrating the division of labor that underpinned the ukiyo-e industry. The poems themselves, combined with the print, would have been circulated and enjoyed by a wide audience, blurring the lines between high art and popular culture. In Kunisada’s work, we see the profound cultural significance embedded in these materials, processes, and social contexts.