Man admiring toy rabbit Possibly 1867

This print by Maki Sozan offers a window into Japanese aesthetics, realized through the traditional woodblock printing technique. Note how the material influences the appearance of the artwork. The softness of the paper support, the textured surface of the woodblock, the fluidity of the ink – all contribute to the image’s inherent qualities of substance, texture, weight and color. Woodblock printing is labor-intensive, involving carving a separate block for each color. The registration of these blocks requires precision and skill. The social significance of this process lies in its democratizing effect: prints could be produced in multiples, making art more accessible. Look closely, and you’ll observe how this mode of production has imbued the artwork with a social or cultural significance. The print reflects the traditional skilled traditions that belong to other histories of creative practices and aesthetics, alongside that of craft and fine arts. Paying attention to the materiality, the making process, and the context, challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, and enriches our understanding of this charming scene.