Picture Book: Ogura Hill (Ehon Ogurayama) 1749

This is a page from ‘Picture Book: Ogura Hill’ made by Nishikawa Sukenobu in Japan. It’s a woodblock print, meaning the image you see was carved into a block of wood, inked, and then pressed onto paper. Consider the labor involved. First, the artist would create the design. Then, a highly skilled block cutter would translate that into a relief carving. Separate blocks would be needed for each color, demanding careful alignment. Finally, the printer would apply the ink and create the impression. The lines in the print are sharp and precise. This clarity speaks to the expertise of the artisans involved. Woodblock printing was not just a means of artistic expression, but a sophisticated industry supporting many livelihoods. Appreciating this print involves understanding the collaborative effort and the traditions of craft that brought it into being.