Cricket on a Squash c. 1830s

Yamada Hōgyoku created this image of a cricket on a squash sometime before 1844, using woodblock printmaking techniques. The materiality of this print hinges on the way the woodblocks are carved, inked, and pressed onto paper, which was traditionally handmade. Notice how the lines defining the cricket and squash are delicate and precise, achieved through careful carving. The flat planes of color, particularly the gradations of blue in the background, suggest a labor-intensive process of layering inks. This technique belongs to a rich history of Japanese printmaking, ukiyo-e, which flourished due to the rise of a merchant class and consumer culture. Consider that each color required a separate block and printing, making this image a product of skilled labor and a complex division of work. The imagery also speaks to a specific cultural context, connecting nature and artistic expression. Thinking about the materials, making, and context helps us appreciate the skill involved in producing this print and its place in broader histories of creative practice, craft, and fine art.