At the Tsutsui Well 1781 - 1800

"At the Tsutsui Well" was made by Chōbunsai Eishi in the late 18th or early 19th century using woodblock printing, a technique known as *ukiyo-e*. The process involves carving an image into a block of wood, applying ink, and then pressing paper onto the block to transfer the image. This could be repeated for each color on separate blocks. The soft, absorbent nature of the paper is crucial, allowing for the subtle gradations of tone and color that you see in the women’s elaborate kimonos. Woodblock printing democratized image production in Japan. It transformed artistic creation into a process tied to commerce, labor and consumption, involving the skills of the artist, carver, printer, and publisher. The incredible skill involved in producing this print reminds us that the concept of ‘fine art’ is too often separated from the means of its production. The artistry of Eishi is inseparable from the craft practices that made this beautiful image possible.