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An uki-e (woodblock print employing Western conventions of perspective) depicting a whale hunt in Kumano bay, in southern Japan. The shore, with pines and houses atop it, is to the right of the composition, and from it sail a fleet of Japanese-style whaling boats with three men in each. The men throw lances or harpoons at a large whale, which is spouting, in the left hand foreground. Several harpoons are depicted in midair. Drummers in the boat and on shore encourage the whalers.
On the right margin are printed the title of the print, in kanji and kana, below which is the artist's signature, below which is the publishing house's mark.
The print has been trimmed on the top edge.


whales
1770-01-02
PERMANENT COLLECTION
Hart Nautical
Toyokaru, Utagawa; Nishimura
ink; color wash; rice paper
9 1/2 in x 14 1/2 in
Japan

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