Flatfish, scorpion fish, and shells, from an untitled series of chuban prints

Flatfish, scorpion fish, and shells comes from an untitled series of chuban-format prints by Katsushika Hokusai dated around 1826, in which the artist devoted careful attention to fish and shellfish drawn from Japan's seas. In this design, a flatfish and a spiny scorpion fish lie alongside cluster of shells, each form precisely observed and carefully arranged within the rectangular format. Hokusai's draftsmanship is on display in the fine modeling of scales, fins, and the carved spiral interiors of the shells; the still life feels both scientifically accurate and aesthetically composed, balancing weight and contour across the sheet. As an ukiyo-e print, the sheet belongs to the broader tradition of natural-history images that Edo ukiyo-e artists, including Hokusai, produced for households and poetry circles interested in seasonal cuisine, marine biology, and refined visual culture. The imported Prussian blue pigment popular in the period appears in subtle accents, while warm browns, ochres, and reds bring out the distinct textures of each fish and shell. The Art Institute of Chicago holds this impression and contextualizes it within Hokusai's wider engagement with flora, fauna, and food. For students of Katsushika Hokusai, the design illustrates the breadth of his subject matter and his role in shaping Edo ukiyo-e's still life and natural-history traditions.