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.

Distant View of Mount Akiba at Kakegawa - Handsome view of travelers crossing an earthen bridge at Kakegawa on a windy day, kites flying above. A young boy in a tie-dyed robe dances about excitedly as he watches a kite flying high above, and another sailing off across the sky trailing its string. Farmers are busy in the rice paddies at right, and the dark form of Mt. Akiba looms in the distance. A terrific composition with wonderful detail and fine 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 3/4" + margins as shown

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