Plum blossoms and poet, from an untitled hexaptych depicting a pair of folding screens

Ryūryūkyo Shinsai created this woodblock print, titled "Plum blossoms and poet," depicting a pair of folding screens, around the early 1800s. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, was a painstaking process involving carving a design into wood, applying ink, and pressing paper onto the block. Each color required a separate block, demanding precise alignment. The final print possesses a delicate texture and subtle tonal variations, achieved through the inherent qualities of the wood and the pressure applied during printing. The social significance of *ukiyo-e* lies in its accessibility. Produced in multiples, these prints brought art to a wider audience during the Edo period, a departure from traditional art patronage. Consider the labor involved in carving the blocks, mixing the inks, and printing each impression. Shinsai, while an accomplished artist, was also part of a larger system of production involving skilled artisans and distributors. Appreciating the materiality and production of this print allows us to reconsider traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.