A Competition among Powerful Magicians 1869

This striking triptych, titled ‘A Competition among Powerful Magicians’, was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi using woodblock printing. The process begins with a drawing, which is then carefully transferred onto a block of wood, usually cherry. The artist carves away the areas that will not be inked, leaving a raised surface. Separate blocks are required for each color, and the printer must align these perfectly to create the final image. The texture of the paper, the grain of the wood, and the careful application of ink all contribute to the overall effect. These prints were relatively inexpensive to produce and were widely circulated, making art accessible to a broad audience in Japan. Yoshitoshi wasn’t just making images, he was participating in a sophisticated system of production and distribution. By understanding the labor and skill involved, we can appreciate the full meaning of Yoshitoshi's mesmerizing composition, and challenge any assumptions about the hierarchy of art forms.