The Abalone (Awabi), from an untitled series of Shells c. 1769

"The Abalone (Awabi)" is a woodblock print by the renowned Japanese artist Suzuki Harunobu, created around 1769. This piece showcases Harunobu’s mastery of the *ukiyo-e* style, depicting a scene of everyday life in Edo period Japan. The print features two women, one standing and one sitting, against a background of stylized waves. The standing woman, dressed in a colorful kimono, holds a fishing rod, while the woman seated on a rocky outcropping is partially undressed, suggesting she has recently been bathing. This delicate depiction of daily life and the inclusion of natural elements like the sea and abalone shells exemplifies the *ukiyo-e* artistic movement.