Manga 

This page from Hokusai's Manga, a collection of sketches, was made using woodblock printing, a technique that was both craft and industry. The process starts with drawing, then carving the image into a block of wood, usually cherry. Ink is applied, paper laid on the block, and then rubbed to transfer the image. Each color requires a separate block, demanding precision. The lines in this print are crisp and defined, achieved through careful carving, while the flat colors show the even application of ink. Woodblock printing was integral to the rise of popular culture in Japan, making images accessible to a broad audience. This particular image depicts laborers performing sake making. It gives us a glimpse into everyday life, elevating work and the working class to the level of art. The marks of labor are visible; each print embodies the work of the carver, printer, and binder. Understanding the labor involved and its cultural context allows us to appreciate the print's place far beyond just fine art.