Matsumoto Yonesaburo as Kewaizaka no Shosho in the Play "Katakiuchi Noriyaibanashi" 1794

This print of Matsumoto Yonesaburo as Kewaizaka no Shosho was created by Tōshūsai Sharaku using woodblock printing, a prevalent technique in Japan during the Edo period. The process begins with a drawing, transferred to a woodblock, and then carefully carved. Sharaku used a separate block for each color, layering them to build the final image. Notice the flat planes of color, the defined outlines and how the wood grain subtly appears within the printed areas, particularly in the background. These features are all hallmarks of the technique. Woodblock printing had profound social implications. It allowed for mass production and dissemination of art, making it accessible to a wider audience beyond the elite. It was closely tied to the burgeoning entertainment industry, particularly Kabuki theater. This print, portraying a popular actor, speaks to a culture where art, performance, and commerce were intertwined, democratizing image production in ways not dissimilar to the modern age. The skilled labor of carving and printing these blocks also supported a whole class of artisans.