Kawabiraki 1795 - 1815

This print, Kawabiraki, was created by Utagawa Toyoharu, likely in the late 1700s, using woodblock printing. This process involves carving a design into a block of wood, inking it, and then pressing paper against the block to transfer the image. Multiple blocks are needed for a multicolored print like this one. The technique itself—a kind of proto-industrial process, allowing for the relatively quick production of images in multiples—was well suited to depict scenes of commerce and leisure like this one. Note the many figures thronging the embankment and the canal. Woodblock printing was a means of circulating such scenes to a wide audience in Japan. The final image, with its intricate lines and blocks of color, reflects both the skill of the artist and the labor involved in the carving and printing processes. By considering the materials, techniques, and social context of its production, we can fully appreciate the artistry and cultural significance of works like this one.