Courtesans of Okamoto, from the book "Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Pleasure Quarters (Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami)," vol. 2 1776

Kitao Shigemasa made this woodblock print of courtesans in the late 18th century, with ink and color on paper. The process begins with a drawing, which is then transferred to a woodblock, where the image is painstakingly carved in relief. Observe the precise lines of the women's robes, the architectural details, and the delicate rendering of faces and hands, all achieved through the labor-intensive process of woodblock printing. The use of multiple blocks, each inked with a different color, creates the layered effect, with soft pinks and greens contrasting against darker blacks. This print is from a book called "Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Pleasure Quarters" and reflects the commercialization of art in the Edo period. The print wasn’t made as a unique work but as part of a larger project that could be widely distributed, which speaks to the rise of a consumer culture. Considering the materials, making, and historical context allows us to appreciate the skill involved and the wider social dynamics at play.