JAPANESE WOOD-CUTTING AND WOOD-CUT PRINTING. 235 



a shield of wood in the right and press with the back upon the surface, 

 so far as the cut plank will bear it."* It is, however, apparent from 

 this most summary description that Cennini's rude contrivance is not 

 to be compared for efficiency with the Japanese "baren," with its 

 twisted cord packing and ribbed bamboo sheath. Nor does the print- 



Fig t. 



Papillon's Manner op Holdino the Knife. 



I'r lua -Traite," 1766. 



ing - shield mentioned by Ceunini seem to have come largely into use, 

 for the instruments generally supposed to have been employed in 

 Europe for taking impressions previous to the introduction of the 

 press are rubbers (which, however, might have been shield-shaped) 

 and rollers, of which the latter remained in use for the taking of 



* Quoted from Ilg'a translation, in Quellensehriften tier Kunstgeschichte, Vol. I, 



Vienna, 1871, p. 122. 



