Actor Playing Seigen Doshin in the play Hana butai banjaku soga 1802

This print of an actor was made by Utagawa Toyokuni I, likely in the early 19th century, using woodblock printing. The process starts with a drawing, which is then transferred to a block of wood, usually cherry. The printer carves away the areas that will not be inked, leaving a raised surface. What I find fascinating is how this process demands collaboration. Each color requires a separate block, so the printer must be precise in carving and aligning them. In this print, the lines of the actor's robe, the texture of the woven hat, and the subtle gradations of color, all relied on this teamwork. Woodblock printing was integral to the rise of a consumer society in Japan. It allowed for the mass production of images, making art accessible to a wide audience. The actor's portrayal, itself a form of crafted performance, is multiplied and distributed, becoming a commodity in its own right. Considering the materials, the skilled labor, and the systems of production and consumption, we realize that this print is not just an image. It is a testament to the complex interplay of art, craft, and commerce.