{"product_id":"top-shell-and-various-shells-totoya-hokkei","title":"Top-Shell and Various Shells - Totoya Hokkei","description":"\u003cp\u003eA delicate woodblock print by Totoya Hokkei featuring a collection of shells, characteristic of the refined surimono tradition of the Edo period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Totoya Hokkei belongs to the genre of surimono, which were privately commissioned prints often exchanged among members of poetry circles. Hokkei, a student of Katsushika Hokusai, demonstrates his technical skill through the delicate application of colour and the precise rendering of natural forms. The composition features a central top-shell, surrounded by an assortment of smaller shells scattered across the foreground. The artist employs a restrained palette, allowing the subtle textures of the shells to emerge against the pale, neutral background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upper portion of the print contains calligraphic text, which is a standard feature of surimono. These poems, or kyoka, often relate to the imagery depicted, creating a dialogue between the visual and the literary. The printing process for such works involved high-quality paper and multiple blocks to achieve the nuanced gradients seen in the shell surfaces. Hokkei captures the organic variety of the specimens with a focus on form and line, rather than dramatic action. The arrangement is balanced, providing a sense of quiet observation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a student of the Ukiyo-e tradition, Hokkei maintained a focus on the observation of the natural world. This print reflects the aesthetic values of the Edo period, where the appreciation of small, everyday objects was elevated through artistic craft. The work remains a clear example of the refinement found in private print commissions of the early nineteenth century. It offers a glimpse into the cultural practices of the time, where art, poetry, and nature were closely linked in the social lives of the urban elite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/de\/products\/mountains-and-rivers-along-the-kisokaido-utagawa-hiroshige\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eMountains and Rivers Along the Kisokaidō - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/de\/products\/young-married-couple-on-a-summer-sleeping-mat-kitagawa-utamaro\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eYoung Married Couple on a Summer Sleeping Mat - Kitagawa Utamaro — Kitagawa Utamaro\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Totoya Hokkei","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58729226240335,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58729235480911,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58729235513679,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58729235546447,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58729235579215,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58729235611983,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58729235644751,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58729235677519,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58729235710287,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58729235743055,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58729235775823,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58729235808591,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Top-Shell-and-Various-Shells_Poster_CompositorV1_1788983286448.jpg?v=1788983577","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/de\/products\/top-shell-and-various-shells-totoya-hokkei","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}