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.

The Sakawa River at Odawara - Wonderful Hiroshige view of a daimyo's palanquin being carried across the Sakawa River at Odawara. The tiny figures are dwarfed by the expansive landscape and the large mountains in the distance, the rooftops of the village and a castle visible at the foot of the hills. This is one of four variations of the same design created by Hiroshige for the Odawara station, with this scene featuring fewer porters and travelers at the river crossing and sharper contours on the distant mountains. It is generally considered to be the first state of this subject. Lovely shading in the water and sky. An interesting variant for the Tokaido series.

Artist - Hiroshige (1797 - 1858)

Image Size - 9" x 14" x + margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. A few small holes and thinning spots, small tear near upper right, repaired, blends well. Toning, slight soiling, a few creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.