Gifts of the Ebb Tide: Japan and the Sea in Ukiyo-e Prints

Like Britain, Japan is a series of islands, and the pervasive presence of the sea has shaped Japanese lives and art. This selection of woodcut prints and books from the Fitzwilliam’s collection illustrates the relationship between Japanese people and the sea, from the mythical to the everyday: the palace of the Dragon King, ghosts of warriors rising from the waves, favourite beaches for picnics and shell collecting, fishermen hauling in their catch - and restaurants serving it. In addition, the British Museum has loaned an impression of the world’s most famous image of the raw power of the sea, Hokusai’s woodcut of ‘The Great Wave’. There will also be another chance to explore the interactive version of Utamaro’s Gifts of the Ebb Tide, allowing visitors to ‘turn the pages’ of the book.

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