Tea Ceremony Supplies, by Kawabata Gyokusho

Traditional Japanese prints have a single 'key block': an outline which is printed first, and within which the colours then fit. But when there are two outline blocks, as in this print, it is a bit more difficult to align everything. A must match B, B must match C, and C must then match A ...

In a small print like this, it's not so difficult, but in larger work, the adjustment can be extremely critical.

Blocks: 8 cherrywood
Printing impressions: 12

• Faint grey outline
• Base tone on cloth (vermillion)
• Base tone on tea canister
• Leaves
• Pale yellow on flower
• Pale green
• Gradations on leaves (5 places)
• Gradation on cloth (large)
• Gradation on cloth (small)
• Gradation on tea canister
• Background tone
• Dark black outline