'At Oshima (return from whale fishing)' [Japan]

No. 46 of 51 (PAJ2051 - PAJ2101): inscribed by the artist on the album page, as title, and dated '2/70'. While there is more than one Japanese island called Oshima, the probable location for this view of returning Japanese whaling boats is on the largest, which lies in the gulf south of Tokyo called the Sagami-nada Sea. At least six boats are shown, with two still being poled in to the beach at the back of the group. There is no obvious evidence of a successful catch but nets, lances and other equipment is in evidence, with waterfront buildings on a wharf to the right. PAJ2094 is another Oshima view.

Object Details

ID: PAJ2096
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Butt, James Henry
Date made: Feb 1870
People: Butt, James Henry
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Sheet: 149 x 225 mm
Parts: Album of topographical views, mainly on the coasts of Japan, China and Formosa (Taiwan) (Album)