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 Great Sanjo Bridge in Kyoto - Great depiction of travelers crossing the Great Sanjo Bridge into Kyoto, the last stop on the Tokaido Road. Beauties and vendors walk over the impressive arched wooden structure, sharing the roadway with porters and a horse carrying a heavy load, as a daimyo's procession approaching at left. The rooftops of the city stretch out along the Kamo River, with buildings nestled in the foothills of the Higashyama Mountains at right. The water in the river is low, with sand bars in the center, and mist drifts over the shore at right. A handsome composition, nicely detailed with fine bokashi shading in the water and mountains. A terrific last print for the series and wonderful Hiroshige masterwork from his Hoeido Tokaido.

Woodblock reprints - In the 20th century, artists and publishers collaborated to recreate famous woodblock prints for interested Japanese collectors and Westerners looking for rare designs. New blocks were made, and the prints were painstakingly printed by artisan printers in the same method as the 19th century originals - one block for each color. Woodblock reprints were an opportunity to collect and enjoy a famous design at a small fraction of the price of an original. They still are today.

Artist - Hiroshige (1797 - 1858)

Image Size - 8 5/8" x 13 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Please see photos for details. Very nice condition overall.