Fishing with a Four-Armed Scoop-net (Yotsu Deami) (center component of triptych)
late 18th century - ca. 1806
Utamaro loved to show women in their daily lives, but here he turns a fishing trip into a geometric puzzle. A giant red net with a diamond pattern slices diagonally across the scene, trapping the viewer's eye just like the fish at the bottom. You can see the teamwork: one woman balances precariously on a structure above, holding the long bamboo pole, while two others in the boat below manage the catch. It’s a brilliant mix of action and elegance, typical of the ukiyo-e 'floating world' style where even hard work looks beautiful.
- Technique
- Woodblock print
- Material
- Ink and color on paper
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