Yamashina Shirojuro in the Role of Nagoya Sanzaemon 1795

This striking woodblock print of Yamashina Shirojuro was produced by Tōshūsai Sharaku in Japan, though the specific date remains unknown. The ukiyo-e tradition, of which this print is a part, depended on a close collaboration between the artist, the wood carver, and the printer. The artist would create the initial design, which was then meticulously carved into woodblocks, one for each color. Finally, the printer would apply ink to these blocks and press them onto paper, building up the image layer by layer. The success of ukiyo-e was closely tied to the rise of a merchant class in Japan, who fueled the demand for images of popular actors. The relative affordability of woodblock prints allowed a broader audience to engage with art, challenging traditional distinctions between high art and craft. The labor-intensive process of creating each print also speaks to the intricate systems of production and consumption that characterized the era.