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.

Spring Rain at Tsuchiyama - Dramatic depiction of a daimyo's procession crossing a bridge under a heavy spring rain. The driving raindrops slant across the scene, the swollen river at right cascading towards the bridge. The grove of dark trees at upper left and the dark sky add an ominous feeling to the image. This fantastic composition is considered one of the best of the series. A terrific, atmospheric design with beautiful bokashi shading.

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

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