Woodblock printing, like paper, was developed in China. The worldwide oldest known woodblock book, the diamond-sutra from Dunhuang, dates from 868. The first motives were religious. For believers in Buddhism pictures of saints and amulets were reproduced this way.  However, woodblock printing in China was not considered to be a separate form of art, and only just used for exact copying of existing paintings.

Mikazuki no Mitsugora (Mitsugora under a crescent moon) is a beautiful Japanese woodblock by Toyokuni. By itself it measures 10" x 14.25" and with the frame it measures 16.5" x 20".