[Utamaro] Works with karazuri embossing

Karazuri is a printing technique used to create an embossed effect by applying strong pressure without any color applied to the woodblock. The technique creates a three-dimensional effect and highlights the unique texture of the Japanese paper (washi). It was widely employed by many artists to convey the character of animal fur and bird feathers, plants, snow, and kimono patterns.

Utamaro used karazuri for the feathers of the birds in the collection of kyoka (humorous poems) "Momo chidori (Myriad Birds)" and parts of the kimono and accessories worn by women in his numerous bijinga (pictures of beautiful women). Utamaro also applied karazuri to develop new techniques such as musen-zuri (no-line printing), which is a method of portraying the subject's face without outlines to give a softer impression. Beautiful karazuri is a distinct feature of the works of Utamaro.