Looking at Woodblock Prints
Japanese prints of the 19th century usually have:
a title block (a),
the artist’s signature and artistic name (b),
and a publisher’s seal (c).
A censor’s mark (d), which indicates that the official government censor had deemed the print acceptable for sale, may also be found.
Gradation of color that resembles watercolor painting (e) is common in Yokohama prints.
Precise registration of fine lines and color areas (f) is also characteristic of the best prints, but alignment may be slightly askew on prints that were carelessly produced.
Reproduced by permission from an exhibition brochure by
Ann Yonemura, © Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, 1990
