Peony Pattern, by Hakamada Sekka

Prints with no keyblock are extremely difficult to register properly. A black line separating colour areas - no matter how thin - defines the division clearly and gives a target for registering the paper. But when there is no such dividing line - and worse, when multiple colour masses define the shape of empty areas, as in this print - there is absolutely no room for error.

This is called ke nuki awase (matching at the tolerance of a hair's breadth), and when a printer sees one of these coming onto his desk, he knows that he is in for a challenge! Not recommended for beginners!

Blocks: 4 cherrywood
Printing impressions: 6

• Grey outline and leaf pattern
• Yamabuki (yellow) flower
• Dark lilac flower
• Red/vermillion flower
• Background gradation down from top
• Background gradation up from bottom