The sea monk (umibozu) is a sea monster with a smooth round head, like the shaven head of a buddhist monk. This woodblock print illustrates the story of the sailor kuwanaya tokuzo, who decides to go to sea on the last day of the year, which other sailors consider unlucky. A violent storm breaks out, and the umi bozu appears. In a ghastly voice the apparition demands, "name the most horrible thing you know!" tokuzo yells back, "my profession is the most horrible thing i know!" the monster is apparently satisfied with this answer and disappears along with the storm. Object Type: woodcut print. Genre: ukiyo-e. Date: circa 1845 (late Edo). Place of creation: Japan. Dimensions: height: 36.2 cm (14.2 in); width: 24.7 cm (9.7 in). Medium: woodcut print on mulberry paper. Depicted Place: Kuwana, Mie. Collection: Walters Art Museum. Series Title: Fifty-three pairings along the Tokaido Road. Kojima of Horiecho - Tokaido gojusan tsui - Walters 95585
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