View of Ochanomizu in the Eastern Capital 1800 - 1830

Shōtei Hokuju made this woodblock print of Ochanomizu around 1810, using a technique that demanded the coordinated labor of the artist, the wood carver, and the printer. Notice how the print’s materiality influences its appearance: the soft, absorbent nature of the paper, and the translucent quality of the ink, combine to create an image of understated elegance. The key block would have been carved first, defining the composition with precise black lines. Then, additional blocks were used to apply each color, one at a time, in a careful registration. This division of labor reflects the social context of the Edo period, with specialized craftsmen contributing their skills to the creation of a single image. Yet, it is Hokuju’s artistry that ties the image together, making the print far more than just an assembly of different parts. It elevates a commercial product into a beautiful work of art.