a glimmer of abundance fish spitzack woodblock woodcut mokuhanga print printmaking washi seattle art

This print depicts fish, with a title that frames the subject through the lens of abundance and its possible qualification. Aquatic subjects have a long history in Japanese woodblock printing, from the carp imagery of Hokusai and Hiroshige to specialized fish-and-shellfish series produced for connoisseurs. Mokuhanga's water-based pigments and absorbent [washi](/glossary/washi) render scales, fins, and water surfaces with a softness suited to underwater or surface-level views. [Bokashi](/glossary/bokashi) gradations can describe the depth of water or the directional fall of light through the medium, while keyblock contours articulate fish anatomy. The reference to a glimmer suggests attention to highlights and reflective effects — qualities mokuhanga conveys through layered translucent impressions rather than opaque pigment films. The phrase carries an undertone of fragility, hinting at ecological themes consistent with a contemporary printmaker's awareness of fisheries and marine systems. The work fits within Spitzack's broader marine output and reflects the capacity of American mokuhanga to address present-day environmental subjects through traditional technique.