The second half of the 18th century was the golden age of innovation in ukiyo-e. During this period, woodblock print artists experimented with a variety of new techniques and sizes. Among these was the long, narrow hashira-e, or “pillar print.” This new format allowed for compositions that brimmed with grace and emotion, employing negative space and vertical dynamism to great effect. While this unusual size presented its own challenges to the printing process, it also invited the artist to be experimental, imaginative and innovative with the design's compositional space.