Japanese printmaking began as early as the 12thC., developing between the 17thC. and 19thC. into the characteristic 'Japanese print' we have come to know. Essentially these are woodcut prints using the side-grain of the block [as opposed to end-grain in wood engraving] portraying originally actors from the Kabuki theatre - geishas, jugglers and well-known actors, but developed from there into a wide range of subject matter including flowers, birds, animals and landscape.
 
Originally all of the prints were of simple black and white designs, but around c.1740 colour began to be introduced with the practice of hand-colouring the black outline prints - a technique used by some artists today. Such prints were known as tan-e or bene-e. Later in the 1740's, however, the true colour print originated, becoming known as benizuri-e, and by c.1765 this had developed into the full polychrome print [such as I use] in which 20 or 30, or more blocks might be used. These were known as nishiki-e, or 'brocade-like pictures' and represent the highest expression in the Japanese printmaking tradition. The tradition is exemplified in its ultimate in the work of artists like Hiroshige, Harunobu, Utamaro, and in particular in the work of its greatest exponent, Katsushika Hokusai [1760-1849].