Hiroshige’s Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido - In 1832, Hiroshige first traveled from his home in Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto along the Tokaido road. The journey was an eye opening and life changing experience for him. As an urban man of Edo he had experienced life mainly in the capital. He immediately returned to Edo after the trip and began his masterwork woodblock series from the sketches he had made on his journey. Hiroshige's Tokaido prints are an opportunity to be transported back in time to see this world as Hiroshige did in the shadow of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

19th Century Hoeido printing - In the late 19th century, the descendents of the original publisher of the famous Hoeido edition of "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" series, had survived the tumultuous times of the Meiji restoration and early Meiji years. Most importantly, they still held the blocks to Hiroshige's most successful series. With the continued growing popularity of Hiroshige's prints among the Japanese, and newly arrived Western collectors, Takenouchi Magohachi's descendants decided to release a complete, posthumous edition of Hiroshige's "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido".

Using only the most skilled printers and carefully matching the paper and inks to the Edo era printing, Hoeido used many original blocks, supplementing them when necessary with replacements. Produced in a small edition, these prints were produced with the highest quality, rivaling those of the lifetime edition.

Today, lifetime editions of Hiroshige's Hoeido Tokaido prints are very valuable and highly sought after by collectors. As Hiroshige's lifetime prints have continued to climb in price, this wonderful Meiji edition from Hoeido offers a great opportunity to collect these original Hiroshige designs at a much lower price. These breathtaking works are a fantastic and rare find.

Mekawa Village near Ishibe - Terrific Hiroshige scene of the station at Ishibe, one of the most isolated stops on the Tokaido. Men relax inside a tea house and restaurant under a tall tree. The street outside is filled with porters and travelers, a man in the center performing a dance. A handsome subject, nicely detailed, the muted colors conveying a sense of the quietude of the region. A fine choice for a collector.

Artist - Hiroshige (1797 - 1858)

Image Size - 13 1/2" x 8 3/4"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail. A faint vertical crease. A few light spots or soiling in subject. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.