浮世絵版画は「線」と「面」で構成されています。墨線彫りにより墨板が生まれ、最も重要な「線（輪郭）」の版木となります。その墨板から色を摺り重ねるための色板が生まれ、「面」の版木となります。

Ukiyo-e woodblock prints are produced from a key block and color blocks. Also known as the sumi block, the key block─which emerges as the carver etches the outlines of the original drawing into the block─is the most essential block in the woodblock printing process. Impressions made from the key block are employed to carve the color block blocks used to make the color prints.

浮世絵版画は、通常15回〜20回の色摺りで完成されています。1色の絵具で摺ったり、2色以上の絵具を摺り重ねる「かけあわせ」と呼ばれる摺り方によって完成します。基本的に淡い色から順次濃い色へと摺られ、そこに様々な摺り技巧が加えられます。

Ukiyo-e woodblock prints are normally produced by layering fifteen to twenty separate printings in different colors. These are two types of printing─one uses a single color, and the other, called kake-awase, overlaps two or more colors. The colors are generally added in a sequence from light to dark, and various other printing techniques are used to finish the product

版木　Woodblocks

細密な線の彫り、多色摺りの磨滅に耐え堅牢緻密で木質が揃う山桜材を用いた「無垢板」、または同等の材質を有するものを使用。数年間乾燥させた山桜材を木取りし、木目に対して順目に荒・中・仕上げの三工程の鑢がけで板木の両面を平滑にします。

Blocks for printing are cut from solid of mountain cherry─a durable wood with a fine grain that holds up under detailed carving and multiple rubbings in different colors of ink─and other woods with these characteristics. To prepare the blocks, rough-sawn mountain cherry that has been dried for several years is dressed and then planed along the grain in three stages─rough, intermediate and finishing─until both side of the blocks are smooth.

紙　Paper

楮を原料とした手漉和紙の「生漉奉書」を使用します。用紙の両面に礬水（「明礬」を「膠」で溶いた液）を引き、紙に耐久性を持たせて絵具のにじみを防ぎます。

Woodblock prints are reproduced on handmade kizuki housho paper─traditional Japanese paper made from mulberry fibers, Both sides of the paper are glazed (with a solution of alum dissolved in gelatin)to make it durable and prevent colors from bleeding.

絵具　Pigments

絵具は大きく分けて植物性と鉱物性があります。墨、弁柄（紅殻）、洋紅、本藍、ベロ藍、石黄、藤黄（雌黄）、胡粉、雲母などがあります。その他の色は絵具の混色や摺り重ねによってさまざまな色を作り出します。また、摺る際にムラなく色付きを良くするため少量の糊を用います。

The pigments used can be categorized as plant-based or mineral-based. Common pigments include black Japanese ink, benigara(iron[III] oxide), carmine, true indigo, Prussian blue, orpiment, gamboge, calcium carbonate and mica. Many other colors are produced by mixing pigments or by overlaying multiple colors during the printing process. A small amount of glue is added to the pigments so the colors will adhere well without blurring during printing.