La Peche Miraculeuse. Izu, Japon (The Miraculous Catch. Izu, Japan)

Catalog note / 解説

Seal, Boat; Carver, Maeda. 'As a portrayer of vanishing customs, Jacoulet is true to the ukiyo-e tradition of recording the life of the day. One such print is that of two fishermen clad in festive attire and ready to celebrate a record catch of fish. The master-fishermean who keeps tally and pays the men who went out in boats to set the nets and drag in the catch, has given each fisherman a special kimono for the celebration. Here we see two of the fishermen gazing out over the sea, watching for the tuna-laden boats to return. Behind them towers Mount Fuji, and beside them stands a tub brimming with the big, yellow-finned fish so essential to a Japanese diet. The garments of the men are of…