Search

A concrete cantilevered building against blue sky and green landscaping

A large green wall with oil paintings in gold frames above a tiled floor

A museum interior space with paintings and concrete walls and stairs

A concrete-walled lobby with windows, a tiled floor, and a circular desk

The top of a concrete spiral staircase with a wooden railing

A tall tree is the focal point of a garden in between two concrete buildings

About arrow_back

Admission for everyone is always free! Check here for current hours and more.

A concrete cantilevered building against blue sky and green landscaping

Collections arrow_back

The Johnson Museum holds more than 40,000 works in its collection from around the world.

A large green wall with oil paintings in gold frames above a tiled floor

Exhibitions arrow_back

Check out what’s on view this season at the Museum and look back through our history.

A museum interior space with paintings and concrete walls and stairs

Events arrow_back

Free events for everyone, plus special programs for students, families, and more!

A concrete-walled lobby with windows, a tiled floor, and a circular desk

Learn arrow_back

The Johnson Museum actively contributes to the intellectual life of our campus and community.

The top of a concrete spiral staircase with a wooden railing

Support arrow_back

Help the Johnson Museum continue its legacy by making a gift today.

A tall tree is the focal point of a garden in between two concrete buildings

Katsushika Hokusai

(Japanese, 1760–1849)

The Waterless Shell (Minase-gai), from the series: The Poetry-Shell Matching Game of the Genroku Era

View All Works

Object Details

Artist

Katsushika Hokusai

Date

commissioned for New Year 1821

Medium

Color woodblock print

Dimensions

7 5/8 × 6 15/16 inches (19.4 × 17.6 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Joanna Haab Schoff, Class of 1955

Object
Number

2011.017.017

Surimono, privately published woodblock prints, comprise one of the most elegant and literary genres(…)

Surimono, privately published woodblock prints, comprise one of the most elegant and literary genres of Japanese printmaking traditions. Commissioned by poetry clubs, typically as gifts in celebration of the Lunar New Year, surimono represent a unique collaboration of poets, artists, calligraphers, and printing houses. Clever integrations of text and image were combined with the most advanced printing techniques to produce deluxe presentation sheets for a sophisticated and highly literate audience.Hokusai, the master print designer best known for his popular prints in the ukiyo-e tradition, was also commissioned to create surimono. This print comes from one of his most famous series. Minase literally means “dry shallows,” and derives from Minashi (“waterless” or “dry”), the alternate name for this shell. The idea of waterlessness provides the suggestion for the dry cage containing rocks and frogs. Yamabuki ni By the mountain roses Koe aru mizu no The voice of water Tamagashiwa Tumbling out Korogashi idete Over jeweled boulders Kawazu naku nari Frogs croaking —Tsuru no Hinako Mimachi kara Waiting for the hour of the snake Nagusami gatera To while the time away Sebumi shite I step in the waters of Kasumi no umi ni The misty sea and Hitohi asoban Play the day away —Yomo Utagaki Magao(“Highlights from the Collection: 45 Years at the Johnson,” curated by Stephanie Wiles and presented at the Johnson Museum January 27–July 22, 2018)

Create an account

Please take a moment to fill your information to create your account.

Reset Password

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Save Artwork

Save the artwork in any of your exhibitions or create a new one.

You have not made any exhibitions.

Create New Exhibition

Create New Exhibition