Thirty-Six Views of Yedo: Susaki Shiohigari - Utagawa Hiroshige II

A woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige II depicting the traditional Japanese activity of clam gathering at the Susaki shoreline during low tide.

This woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige II is part of the series titled Thirty-Six Views of Yedo. The scene depicts the popular Edo-period activity of shiohigari, or clam gathering, at the Susaki shoreline. During low tide, residents of the city would venture onto the exposed tidal flats to collect shellfish, a practice that combined leisure with the procurement of food.

In the foreground, several figures are shown wading through the shallow water, carrying baskets filled with their harvest. Their clothing, rendered in clear patterns and colours, contrasts with the muted tones of the mudflats and the deep blue of the water. The composition employs a high horizon line, a common technique in ukiyo-e, which allows for a clear view of the expansive tidal area. In the distance, the shoreline is populated with smaller figures, suggesting the scale of the gathering.

To the right, a structure with red lanterns indicates a nearby teahouse or rest area, providing a glimpse into the social infrastructure that supported such outings. The sky is marked by a fan-shaped cartouche containing the series title, while a vertical red cartouche identifies the specific location. The print captures a moment of daily life in nineteenth-century Japan, documenting both the geography of the Yedo bay area and the customs of its inhabitants. The use of bold outlines and flat areas of colour is characteristic of the woodblock medium, where each hue is applied via a separate carved block. This work offers a view into the recreational habits of the period, reflecting the connection between the urban population of Yedo and the natural rhythms of the coast.