魚づくし 車海老 鯵にたで|Aji Fish and Kuruma-ebi, from the series Uozukushi (Every Variety of Fish)

A pair of plump, fresh kuruma-ebi (prawns) and a single aji (horse mackerel) are arranged with a sprig of tade (water pepper) on a plain background in this woodblock print. The composition is strikingly simple, allowing the viewer to appreciate the texture and form of each element. The prawns, curled naturally, show delicate gradations of orange and red, suggesting their succulence, while the mackerel's silvery scales are subtly rendered. Hiroshige created this print as part of a series called "Every Variety of Fish," showcasing his skill in capturing the essence of natural subjects. This work reflects a period in his career (around 1829–1830) when he began to focus more on landscapes and detailed studies of flora and fauna, moving beyond the traditional ukiyo-e subjects of actors and beauties. The print's intimate scale and focus on everyday natural elements offer a quiet moment of observation, a departure from the grander landscape series for which he would later become widely known.