Aap met langharige schildpad
Medium
nishikie, with metallic pigments and blindprinting
Dimensions
181; 214
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Een aap met mand en hengel, rijdend op een langharige schildpad (minogame). Met twee gedichten. Deze afbeelding verwijst waarschijnlijk naar het sprookje over een kwal, en later een schildpad, die een aap naar het paleis van de Drakenkoning probeert te lokken. De dochter van de koning was ziek en kon alleen genezen worden met de lever van een levende aap. Wanneer de aap hier achter komt, overtuigt hij de kwal dat apen vijf levers hebben, die ze in bomen ophangen, zodat ze sneller kunnen bewegen....
Art Historical Context
**Aap met Langharige Schildpad**Monkey with Long-Haired Turtle), created by Yanagawa Shobu I in 1820, is a nishikie woodblock print from Edo period. Measuring just 214 mm by 181 mm, this artwork exemplifies ukiyo-e's "floating world" tradition, blending whimsy with folklore. Shigenobu, a pupil of the renowned Utamaro, was known for his elegant depictions of beauty and nature, here capturing a monkey riding a mythical minogame—a long-haired turtle symbolizing longevity and good fortune—with a basket and fishing rod in hand. Two accompanying poems add a poetic layer, typical of surimono-style prints commissioned for special occasions. The scene humorously alludes to a classic Japanese folktale from the *Konjaku Monogatari*, where a jellyfish (or crab in variants) lures a clever monkey to the Dragon King's palace to harvest his liver for the ailing princess. The monkey outsmarts his foe by claiming apes have five livers hung in trees for agility, feigning willingness to retrieve one. This playful narrative highlights themes of wit and deception, resonating in popular culture. Artistically, the print shines through its nishikie technique—vibrant multicolored woodblocks—enhanced by shimmering metallic pigments and blindprinting (embossing) for texture, evoking the turtle's flowing mane and the monkey's lively pose. Such innovations elevated ukiyo-e, influencing global art and underscoring Japan's mastery of printmaking during a time of cultural flourishing. (218 words)