These 1,000 piece puzzles are sure to be a new favorite in your collection! Custom-made for Moonlit Sea Prints, they measure 20″x28″ completed and were based on high resolution scans that we took of some of our favorite prints in the gallery.
The puzzles are made on “Grade A” high quality dense cardboard, die-cut using the manufacturer’s own unique die utilizing a wide range of shapes. They are then packaged in a resealable bag and in a thick-walled cardboard box for storage.
This puzzle is of “Utagawa Kuniyoshi – Tamatori’s Escape from Ryujin and His Sea Creatures“, originally published in 1843.
The Legend of Princess Tamatori (Tamatorihime), or Ama, is based around the historical figure Fujiwara no Kamatari (614-649), who was the founder of the powerful Fujiwara clan. Upon Kamatari’s death, the Tang Dynasty emperor, who had received Kamatari’s beautiful daughter as a consort, sent three priceless treasures to Japan in order to comfort his grieving lover by honoring her father. One of these treasures, a pearl, was stolen by the Dragon King in a storm on its way to Japan in the inlet of Fusazaki.
Kamatari’s son Fujiwara no Fuhito (659-720) went in search of the pearl to the isolated area where he met and married a beautiful pearl diver named Ama, who bore him a son. Ama, full of love for their son, vowed to help recover the stolen pearl. After many failed attempts, Ama was finally successful when the dragon and grotesque creatures guarding it were lulled to sleep by music. Upon reclaiming the treasure, she came under pursuit by the awakened sea creatures. She cut open her breast to place the pearl in for safekeeping; the resulting blood clouded the water and aided in her escape. She died from the resulting wound but is revered for her selfless act of sacrifice for her husband Fuhito and their son.
