Seiobo (Queen Mother of the West) and tortoise, from an untitled hexaptych depicting a pair of folding screens

Art Historical Context

This exquisite color woodblock print by Ryuryukyo Shai, created around 1825, Seiobo, the Queen Mother of the West, accompanied by a tortoise—a symbol of longevity and wisdom drawn from East Asian mythology. The work forms one sheet of an untitled hexaptych to evoke a pair of folding screens, viewers to imagine the full composition unfolding like a traditional Japanese byōbu. As a surimono—a privately commissioned print typically produced in limited editions for poetry circles or special occasions—this piece highlights the refined artistry of early 19th-century Japanese woodblock techniques. T...