{"product_id":"gifts-of-the-ebb-tide-kitagawa-utamaro","title":"Gifts of the Ebb Tide - Kitagawa Utamaro","description":"\u003cp\u003eA delicate woodblock print from Kitagawa Utamaro's Shiohi no tsuto, featuring detailed illustrations of seashells accompanied by traditional Japanese calligraphy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis print originates from the celebrated album Shiohi no tsuto, or Gifts of the Ebb Tide, produced by Kitagawa Utamaro around 1789. Utamaro is widely recognised for his mastery of the ukiyo-e genre, particularly his depictions of women and nature. In this specific work, he shifts his focus to the natural world, documenting various species of shells found along the Japanese coastline after the tide has receded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition is minimalist and precise, reflecting the aesthetic values of the Edo period. Utamaro arranges the shells with a scientific eye, yet maintains the artistic grace expected of a high-quality woodblock print. The inclusion of calligraphic text, which provides poetic context and identification for the specimens, integrates literature with visual art. The use of soft, muted tones allows the viewer to focus on the textures and forms of the shells, which are rendered with remarkable accuracy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurimono prints were often commissioned by private groups or poetry clubs, and this album serves as a fine example of the collaborative nature of Japanese print culture. The paper quality and the delicate application of pigment demonstrate the technical skill of the carvers and printers who worked alongside Utamaro. By isolating these objects against a clean background, the artist elevates humble marine life into a subject of contemplation. This print offers a quiet, observational perspective on the natural world, far removed from the bustling urban scenes often associated with the ukiyo-e movement. It remains a significant example of how natural history and artistic expression intersected in late eighteenth-century Japan, providing a visual record that is both informative and visually balanced.\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=\"\/sv\/products\/the-actor-segawa-kikunojo-ii-as-the-courtesan-umegae-suzuki-harunobu\" 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;\"\u003eThe Actor Segawa Kikunojo II as the Courtesan Umegae - Suzuki Harunobu — Suzuki Harunobu\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/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\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kitagawa Utamaro","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":59016087765327,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59016109064527,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59016109097295,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59016109130063,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59016109162831,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59016109195599,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59016109228367,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59016109261135,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59016109293903,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59016109326671,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59016109359439,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59016109392207,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Gifts-of-the-Ebb-Tide_Poster_CompositorV1_1791248473717.jpg?v=1791249472","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/sv\/products\/gifts-of-the-ebb-tide-kitagawa-utamaro","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}