Kaczki i zimorodek (ilustracja z albumu Momo chidori kyōka awase) - zeszyt, w którym przedstawione są kolejne etapy wykonywania odbitki z drzeworytu.

Created by the woodcut master Kitagawa Utamaro, the work illustrates successive stages of a woodblock print. The artist employed precise line work to render the birds’ contours and plumage, while the carving process allowed for clean, repeatable impressions. The overall style is restrained, with limited background elements to highlight the primary subjects.

Produced around the mid‑14th century, the print forms part of a larger album that documented the step‑by‑step process of woodcut printing. Its inclusion in Momo chidori kyōka awase indicates it was intended for instructional use or as a reference for other artists and craftsmen.

Woodcut printing was a central technique in Japanese book production, especially for illustrated albums. This piece exemplifies how artists combined textual information with visual demonstration, providing a practical guide for reproducing images through carving and inking.

As a visual record of the woodcut process, the image serves as a valuable reference for scholars studying historical Japanese printmaking methods. Its clear depiction of procedural steps contributes to understanding the technical evolution of ukiyo‑e and related print traditions.