The Waterless Shell (Minase-gai), from the series: The Poetry-Shell Matching Game of the Genroku Era
Artist
Katsushika Hokusai
(Japanese, 1760–1849)
Datecommissioned for New Year 1821
MediumColor woodblock print
Dimensions7 5/8 × 6 15/16 inches (19.4 × 17.6 cm)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineGift of Joanna Haab Schoff, Class of 1955
Terms
- Surimono
- Color woodblock print
- Poetry
- Shells
- Cages
- Rock
- Frogs
- Horses
- Poets
- Rivers
- Japanese
Object number2011.017.017
Label CopySurimono, privately published woodblock prints, comprise one of the most elegant and literary genres of Japanese printmaking traditions. Commissioned by poetry clubs, typically as gifts in celebration of the Lunar New Year, surimono represent a unique collaboration of poets, artists, calligraphers, and printing houses. Clever integrations of text and image were combined with the most advanced printing techniques to produce deluxe presentation sheets for a sophisticated and highly literate audience.
Hokusai, the master print designer best known for his popular prints in the ukiyo-e tradition, was also commissioned to create surimono. This print comes from one of his most famous series. Minase literally means “dry shallows,” and derives from Minashi (“waterless” or “dry”), the alternate name for this shell. The idea of waterlessness provides the suggestion for the dry cage containing rocks and frogs.
Yamabuki ni By the mountain roses
Koe aru mizu no The voice of water
Tamagashiwa Tumbling out
Korogashi idete Over jeweled boulders
Kawazu naku nari Frogs croaking
—Tsuru no Hinako
Mimachi kara Waiting for the hour of the snake
Nagusami gatera To while the time away
Sebumi shite I step in the waters of
Kasumi no umi ni The misty sea and
Hitohi asoban Play the day away
—Yomo Utagaki Magao
(“Highlights from the Collection: 45 Years at the Johnson," curated by Stephanie Wiles and presented at the Johnson Museum January 27–July 22, 2018)
Collections
Katsushika Hokusai
commissioned for New Year 1821
Katsushika Hokusai
commissioned for New Year 1822, Year of the Horse
Unidentified artist
Edo period (1615-1868)
Katsushika Hokusai
late 18th–early 19th century
Katsushika Hokusai
ca. 1835-36
Katsushika Hokusai
Katsushika Hokusai
1864
Katsushika Hokusai