Ōtsuki Plain in Kai Province Possibly 1858

Ōtsuki Plain in Kai Province was made by Utagawa Hiroshige using the traditional Japanese woodblock printing technique. The print’s surface, with its subtle gradations of color, belies the labor-intensive process behind it. Each color required a separate block, meticulously carved from wood. Hiroshige, as the designer, would have worked with highly skilled block cutters and printers, each contributing to the final effect. The quality of the paper itself was also crucial, able to absorb the water-based inks. The image has a deliberately flat appearance, yet Hiroshige creates a sense of depth, with careful arrangements of color and form. This print was one of a series depicting famous views of Mount Fuji. Woodblock prints were produced in large numbers and sold relatively cheaply, making art accessible to a wide audience. This commercial aspect, combined with the emphasis on craft skill, puts these works in an interesting position between fine art and design. Appreciating the print's material and its making helps us to consider its place in society and its historical value.