The Scales of the Carp (Koi no uroko 鯉の鱗), Illustrations of Poets 1815

This page from 'Illustrations of Poets' was made by Teisai Hokuba in the early 19th century, using woodblock printing. This process involves carving a design into a block of wood, inking it, and then pressing paper against the block to transfer the image. Woodblock prints like this one were the product of a highly skilled and organized system of craft production. The artist would create the initial design, but specialized carvers and printers were needed to bring the image to life. The linear quality and graphic clarity of the print is a direct result of the carving process, which favors clean, precise lines. This division of labor made it possible to produce these images quickly and in large numbers, making art accessible to a wider audience. By understanding the labor and skill involved in its making, we can see how this seemingly simple print reflects broader social and economic forces at work in 19th century Japan, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industry.