The artwork, titled “Seaweed Gatherers at Omari,” is a woodcut created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi circa 1833. This piece is a part of the Ukiyo-e art movement and measures 34 x 23 cm. It belongs to the landscape genre and is included in the series “Famous Views of the Eastern Capital.” Currently, the artwork is held in a private collection.
In the artwork, two figures are depicted in a small wooden boat, navigating through dense seaweed beds in what appears to be a calm waterway. The scene captures the serene yet active nature of the seaweed gathering process. The use of deep blues and warm browns beautifully contrasts the elements of water and seaweed, while the expansive sky above adds a sense of vastness to the scene. The figures, keenly focused on their task, embody the daily labor and livelihood of people during that era. The delicate gradation of color and fine details within the woodcut exemplify Kuniyoshi’s mastery in capturing both the beauty and the essence of the mundane in a tranquil landscape.
