From the famous NIHON SANKAI MEISAN ZUE . The artist was Kangetsu Shitone and the series illustrates the Famous Sea and Land Products of Japan. In reality the products illustrated are from the Bay of Ise, south of Nagoya. Kangetsu's concept and many of his designs were plagiarised by Utagawa Hiroshige in the 1870's.
The scene shows two small boats hunting sea otters with bows and arrows and harpoons. Pelts of sea otters were amongst the most precious and expensive items in the world.
From the first printing in 1799.
Woodblock.
Printed in black.
Dyptich.
300 x 200 mm (approx).