People fishing for octopus and a woman reading a fortune-telling book to pick a suitable date for fishing Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861)

The composition presents a layered scene, divided into foreground and background elements that interact in a complex manner. Dominating the left side is a woman, elaborately dressed in patterned robes and adorned with significant hair ornaments. Her gaze is directed outward, conveying an air of detached observation rather than direct engagement. She holds open a book, its pages filled with text – seemingly a fortune-telling manual – which she appears to be consulting. Adjacent to her, a disembodied head floats, rendered in a grotesque style with exaggerated features and a palpable sense of menace. The head’s expression is one of intense scrutiny or perhaps silent judgment directed towards the woman.
The background depicts a coastal landscape. Several figures are engaged in octopus fishing from small boats; their activity is suggested rather than explicitly detailed. A figure stands on a raised embankment, seemingly observing the fishermen, while another walks along the shoreline. The distant hills and water create a sense of depth and vastness, contrasting with the immediate intimacy of the foreground scene.
The juxtaposition of these elements generates several layers of subtext. The woman’s consultation of the fortune-telling book suggests an attempt to control or predict events – in this case, the success of the fishing expedition. This act implies a reliance on supernatural guidance and a recognition of forces beyond human control. The presence of the grotesque head introduces an element of unease and potential threat. It could be interpreted as representing societal judgment, ancestral spirits, or even the unpredictable nature of fortune itself.
The contrast between the refined elegance of the woman and the rough practicality of the fishing scene highlights a tension between social status and everyday labor. The landscape, while beautiful, also hints at the harshness of life dependent on natural resources. Overall, the work explores themes of fate, societal expectations, and the interplay between human agency and external forces, all conveyed through a striking combination of realism and stylized imagery.