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Details / Information for First Print from A Low Tide Pentaptych

First Print from A Low Tide Pentaptych

汐干五番内　其一

c. 1830

Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川 国芳

(Japanese, 1797–1861)
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Culture
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
Medium
color woodblock print from a pentaptych
Measurements
21.2 x 18.4 cm (8 3/8 x 7 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade 1916.1108.a
Public Domain
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Location
235A Japanese
Print

Description

This is one of five surimono, privately commissioned prints, making up an image of people collecting sea life at low tide. Ten witty poems, written by members of a poetry circle, appear across the upper part of the composition, with two poems on each print. Based in Edo (now Tokyo), the group was led by Hisakataya Misora (active 1810s–30s), who wrote four of the poems. This composition may have been printed in April, which was considered the best time for beachcombing.
A vertically oriented woodblock print depicts a woman with pale skin bending over a blue tide pool. She holds a flatfish in her right hand and a wooden tool in her left, wearing a striped kimono with a black patterned sash. To our right, a large brown anchor stands on the sand. In the background, two small figures walk along the shore. Japanese calligraphy and red seals hover against the beige background.

First Print from A Low Tide Pentaptych

c. 1830

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

(Japanese, 1797–1861)
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

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