Illustrations of Uji Tea Production - Saitō Motonari

A detailed woodblock print by Saitō Motonari documenting the traditional tea harvest in the Uji region of Japan.

This woodblock print by Saitō Motonari captures the methodical process of tea cultivation in the Uji region, a location historically associated with the finest Japanese green tea. The composition provides a clear view of the labour involved, showing workers beneath a large, slatted reed canopy designed to shade the tea bushes. This specific technique, known as kabuse-cha, is essential for developing the flavour profile of high-quality leaves.

The figures are depicted in various stages of the harvest. Some individuals reach into the dense green foliage to pluck leaves, while others manage the collection and sorting process. In the foreground, a worker packs the harvested tea into cylindrical containers, while another figure consults a document, likely a ledger or production record. The artist uses a balanced colour palette, relying on soft earth tones and muted blues to convey the atmosphere of the tea fields. The lines are precise and clean, characteristic of the mid-nineteenth-century Ukiyo-e style, which often documented regional industries and daily life.

Saitō Motonari, active during the late Edo period, produced works that functioned as both artistic records and informative documents. This print avoids unnecessary ornamentation, focusing instead on the clarity of the activity. The arrangement of the workers creates a sense of order, reflecting the disciplined nature of tea production. The use of the reed canopy as a framing device adds depth to the scene, drawing the eye across the various tasks being performed. This work offers a glimpse into the agricultural practices of the period, documenting the human effort required to produce a commodity that held a significant place in Japanese social and economic life.