Goldfish and Water Plants 1850

Ichimei made this woodblock print of goldfish and water plants in Japan between 1850 and 1870. The art of woodblock printing is a labor-intensive process, requiring the artist to carve a design into a block of wood. Each color in the final print demands a separate block, meticulously carved and aligned to ensure a crisp image. The blue of the water, achieved through the nature of wood grain, evokes the flow of the water around the fish. There is a sense of carefulness in the carving and registration of colors, reflecting the skills of the artisans who translated Ichimei’s vision into material form. The use of this technique in this print points to the intersection of art, craft, and industry in 19th century Japan. Thinking about materials, making, and context helps us understand the full significance of an artwork, and it challenges any firm distinction between high art and craft.