I don't think it was lost. There are still people recarving the classics today. But at the hight of the craft, woodblock printing was being used for books, and

I don't think it was lost. There are still people recarving the classics today. But at the hight of the craft, woodblock printing was being used for books, and flyers, and posters, and labels on good etc. there was a very high volume of low skill work that still got a little pay. This meant that the masters could have been working since childhood refining their craft. By The time of these images, there are mechanical presses doing all the non-art printing work. Also Japanese artist were aware of and participating in the global shifts in interests and ideas in art. Compared to some print of some beautiful maiko doing her make up with every stand of hair carefully cut into the block, I would say these images are more true to life. They convey the experience of being in those places at those times.