The Actor Yamamura Ichitaro as Oichi in the play "Totsusaka-no-jo Tsuru no Sugomori," performed at the Nakamura Theater in the eleventh month, 1721 1721

Torii Kiyotomo's woodblock print from 1721 captures Yamamura Ichitaro on stage, utilizing a process deeply embedded in Japanese visual culture. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, involves carving a design into a block of wood, applying ink, and pressing it onto paper. The flat planes of color and bold outlines are not accidental, but emerge directly from the nature of this technique. Each color requires a separate block, a labor-intensive process demanding precision and skill. Consider the social context here; *ukiyo-e* prints were not simply artworks but a form of popular culture, widely distributed and relatively affordable. The choice of subject matter – a famous actor in a celebrated role – speaks to the tastes of the urban population. The amount of labor involved in creating these prints highlights a complex relationship between artistry, commerce, and consumerism. This print challenges the conventional hierarchy between fine art and craft, demonstrating how technical processes and cultural context intertwine to create meaningful images.