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Bokashi

暈し

A sophisticated gradation technique where color transitions smoothly from dark to light within a single impression. The printer achieves this effect by wiping away ink from portions of the block before printing. Hiroshige's atmospheric skies and water reflections showcase masterful bokashi.

Related Terms

Baren

ばれん/バレン

A circular pressing pad made from bamboo sheath and cord, used to transfer ink from the woodblock to paper. The printer applies pressure in a circular motion, and the quality of the baren significantly affects the print's clarity and ink saturation. Master printers often made their own baren.

Beni-e

紅絵

Early hand-colored prints from the 1720s-1740s, distinguished by their use of beni (safflower red) as the primary color. Artists applied the pigment by hand after printing the key block in black ink, creating prints with a warm, distinctive palette.

Benizuri-e

紅摺絵

Limited-color prints emphasizing red (beni), often combined with one or two additional colors (e.g., blue/yellow), in use in the 1740s-1760s (pre-nishiki-e). This technique represented a crucial stepping stone between hand-colored prints and full-color nishiki-e.

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