Sunrise over Sumida River 1797

This print, "Sunrise over Sumida River," was made by Katsushika Hokusai with woodblock printing, likely sometime in the early 1800s. This is a sophisticated, labor-intensive process. A design is first drawn, then transferred to a block of wood, usually cherry. Using chisels, the parts that will not receive ink are carved away, leaving the design in relief. Each color requires a separate block. Hokusai would have worked with highly skilled block cutters and printers. The printer applies ink to the block's surface and then carefully presses paper against it to transfer the image. The result is a multiplication of labor: an image that can be reproduced many times over. This print speaks volumes about the commercialization of art and the ingenuity of craft traditions. Hokusai wasn't just an artist; he was part of a complex system of production and distribution, blurring the lines between fine art, craft, and industry.