Japanese Woodblock Print, originally published 1797, full title is "Awabitori Abalone Divers", from the series "Women's Handiworks," this is a Showa era edition printed from recarved woodblocks

SIZE IN INCHES: oban triptych, each panel 10.5 x 15.5 inches; 31.5 x 15.5 overall

THIS TRIPTYCH IS, of course, the famous composition by Utamaro of fisherwomen who dive for abalone, and is among the most well known triptychs in all of Ukiyo-e. The outlines of the skin of the five beauties who compose the composition, and the waves are printed with colored lines. This devise was probably invented by Utamaro and appears on many of his prints from this period. Utamaro did several designs of abalone divers, but this is the most well-known. The mother and child in the center sheet are reminiscent of Utamaro's imagery of Yamauba and Kintaro.

KITAGAWA UTAMARO, (1753-1806), was a Japanese printmaker and painter who was one of the greatest artists of the ukiyo-e movement; he is known especially for his masterfully composed portraits of sensuous female beauties.

Probably born in a provincial town, he went to Edo (now Tokyo) with his mother. There, under the name of Toyoaki, he started painting and designing rather unoriginal wood-block prints of women. He also occupied himself with nature studies and published many illustrated books, of which Gahon chusen (1788; Insects) is best known.

About 1791 Utamaro gave up designing prints for books and concentrated on making half-length single portraits of women rather than prints of women in groups as favored by other ukiyo-e artists. In 1804, at the height of his success, he made some prints depicting the military ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wife and concubines. Consequently, he was accused of insulting Hideyoshi's dignity and was ordered to be handcuffed for 50 days. The experience crushed him emotionally and ended his career as an artist. Among his best known works are the wood-block-print series Ten Physiognomies of Women, Twelve Hours at the Gay Quarters, The Seven Beauties of the Gay Quarters, and Women in Love.

VG, minor flaws as shown