The Actor Ichikawa Komazo as the Peddler Soga no Juro Sukenari 1761

This print, made by Torii Kiyomitsu, shows the actor Ichikawa Komazo as a peddler. It’s a woodblock print, a process where an image is carved into a block of wood, inked, and then pressed onto paper. The key to understanding prints like this is appreciating the labor involved. Each color requires a separate block, and precise alignment is crucial. Look closely, and you can see how the wood’s grain and the ink’s texture give the image its distinctive character. The lines have a calligraphic quality, and the blocks used to print the image have embossed the paper in certain areas. Woodblock printing was not just a means of artistic expression, but also a commercial enterprise. It was a way to produce images quickly and relatively cheaply, making art accessible to a wider audience. The actor prints, in particular, were like celebrity posters of their time. So, next time you see a woodblock print, think about the hands that made it and the culture of production and consumption it represents. It’s a great example of how art and craft intersect with commerce and society.