ticketsMember | Make a donation

Shells from a Shell-Matching Game Set (Awase-gai)

18th century
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
As only the two halves of a specific clamshell can be perfectly matched, this competition’s goal was to identify as many matching shells as possible, typically using 360 shells. The left half was the “ground shell,” and these were spread out upside down on the floor. The right half was the “calling shell.” A single calling shell was placed upside down in the center of the ground shells, and the competitors had to find the matching half. From the early Edo period, the inside surfaces of the shells were sometimes decorated with scenes from The Tale of Genji, as seen here. However, the paintings served only to confirm the match.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 源氏物語合貝
  • Title: Shells from a Shell-Matching Game Set (Awase-gai)
  • Period: Edo period (1615 –1868)
  • Date: 18th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Ink, color, gofun (ground-shell pigment), and gold on clamshell halves
  • Dimensions: Each: 3 1/8 × 4 in. (8 × 10.2 cm)
  • Classification: Shell
  • Credit Line: Lent by Tokugawa Art Museum
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art