Details

In Lobster, Bakufu Ohno presents a striking underwater portrait of the Japanese spiny lobster (ise ebi), rendered with astonishing precision and theatrical flair. The subject emerges boldly from a rocky crevice, antennae arching dramatically across the picture plane as its armored body glows with iridescent reds, blues, and golds. The lobster’s segmented tail curves tightly, its shell glistening with speckles and fine lines that seem to shimmer under the sea’s filtered light.

The scene’s backdrop is minimal and atmospheric—billowing shadows of underwater rock formations suggest the lobster’s grotto habitat, lending the print an air of quiet tension, as though we are intruding on a moment of hidden life below the surface. Soft bokashi gradients and subtle mica highlights create dimensionality without detracting from the central figure’s visual impact.

Connoisseur's Note

Published in 1938 as part of Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume 1, Lobster stands out as one of the most striking and visually commanding designs in Bakufu Ohno’s celebrated series. While the suite was created to document native marine species, this particular image transcends scientific illustration to become a celebration of anatomical accuracy, color, and composition. It is a visual symphony of pattern and polish—each segment, limb, and antennae crisply delineated with the meticulousness of a jeweler’s eye.

Ohno’s masterful collaboration with Kyoto’s finest artisans under the banner of the Kyoto Hanga-In ensured the highest technical standards, from carving to printing. This impression is superb, showcasing flawless color gradation and immaculate color registration. The fine detail in the antennae and claws, along with the shimmering texture of the shell, reveals the peak craftsmanship typical of the early second editions from this series.

While the subject may be humble, Ohno elevates the ise ebi to a creature of near-mythic elegance. In Japanese culture, lobsters symbolize longevity and fortune, often associated with celebratory meals and auspicious occasions. With Lobster, Ohno captures not only the creature’s biological splendor but its deeper cultural resonance—a brilliant example of art that marries naturalism with reverence.