Autumn: Harvesting Rice (Aki: inekari no zu), No. 3 from the series "The Four Seasons of Farmers (Shiki no hyakusho)" c. 1730s

"Autumn: Harvesting Rice," by Torii Kiyomasu II, was made using woodblock printing, a technique known as *ukiyo-e*. The process begins with a drawing, which is then carefully transferred to a woodblock, usually cherry. Using chisels, the key lines of the image are carved in relief. This block is then inked and printed, creating the black outline. Separate blocks are made for each color, requiring incredible precision to align. This print demonstrates the natural properties of wood and ink to depict harvesting rice. Consider the labor involved: from the farmers depicted, bent over their work in the fields, to the artisans who carved the blocks and printed the image. *Ukiyo-e* prints were relatively inexpensive and widely available, a product of Edo-period commercial culture. Yet they also reflect a deep connection to the land and the seasons, elevating the everyday experience of rural life into art. Looking closely at the materials and the making helps us appreciate the complex social context of this seemingly simple image, and challenges the divide between art and craft.