Arkivism
The sparrow shell
Public domain

The sparrow shell

Katsushika Hokusai · 1821 · color woodcut; polish; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

Box of black lacquered woven straw filled with luck symbols. Next to it an open birdcage with two sparrows flying away. The image refers to a fairy tale about an old man who is rewarded with treasures by a sparrow. The hat in the treasure chest could make the person wearing it invisible. The shell to which the title refers is depicted in the fan-shaped cartouche. With two poems.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Subjects
surimono
Credit lineDe mus schelp. 1821. Katsushika Hokusai. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
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