Swimming Tortoises 水中の亀すいちゅうのかめ

Description

Turtles formed an auspicious painting motif and were considered symbols of longevity. The long and narrow format of this print resembles that of a hanging scroll.

This ukiyo-e woodblock print was created by Katsushika Hokusai.

Note how the color is gradated by curved lines that sweep diagonally across the screen. This creates the impression of light shining through oscillating water, thus infusing the picture with a sense of coolness.

Three tortoises swim leisurely across the composition, which has an unusual shape, being vertically longer than the average woodblock print. The tortoise at the bottom has long strands of seaweed growing on its back. This is an auspicious motif symbolizing long life. There are four other similarly-sized prints with Hokusai's signature, believed to date from the same period. They all feature auspicious motifs such as carp ascending a waterfall, cranes with pine trees, hawks with cherry blossom trees, and horses with young pines. Perhaps these prints were part of a series produced at the same time and for the same purpose.