Woodblocks

Woodblocks are blocks of wood used for relief printing as well as a common percussion instrument. In printing, a woodblock has a relief surface carved away to leave the design raised for inking and transfer onto paper or fabric. In music, a woodblock is a solid or hollow wooden block struck with a mallet to produce a sharp, dry tone.

Woodblock printing originated in East Asia, with early examples dating to the Tang Dynasty in China and later spreading to Japan and Korea. The method relies on selecting a dense, fine-grained wood and carving away the areas that will stay blank, leaving the image or text raised. In printing, ink is applied to the raised surface and paper is pressed onto it to transfer the image. Color prints often require multiple blocks, one for each color, aligned precisely. Common woods used for blocks include boxwood, pear, cherry, and other hardwoods chosen for durability and a clean cut. The blocks may be used to print textiles, maps, book illustrations, religious images, and decorative patterns. Many historical blocks survive as artifacts and have been reprinted or preserved for study.

Woodblocks as instruments are typically rectangular or square blocks of hardwood or other dense material, sometimes with a groove or hollow to alter resonance. They are struck with sticks or mallets to yield a bright, focused sound and are used in orchestras, schools, and various world-music ensembles.

Both senses share a common principle: a carved or formed wooden surface serves as the imprint or resonant body that produces a tangible result through touch and sound.