Hiroshige’s Great Tokaido - In 1832, Hiroshige first traveled from his home in Edo (present-day 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. After the trip, he returned to Edo and immediately began his masterwork woodblock series from the sketches he had made on his journey. Hiroshige's first Tokaido series is also known as the "Great Tokaido," or the "Hoeido Tokaido," after the publisher Hoeido. Hiroshige returned to this favorite subject again and again, creating many additional Tokaido series. Published circa 1833 - 1834, Hiroshige's famous Great Tokaido designs offer an opportunity to be transported back in time to see Japan as it was during the days of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Sayo no Nakayama Mountain near Nissaka, circa 1833 - 1834 - Fantastic Hiroshige landscape showing travelers stopping to inspect the Night-weeping Stone, a large boulder in the middle of the road. The stone was rumored to lie in a spot where a pregnant woman was attacked and killed by bandits. Every night, the boulder was said to weep out of sorrow for the woman. The road rises steeply at right among rugged pines trees, with distant mountains at left in silhouette against the sky as the sun begins to set. A great design.

Artist - Hiroshige (1797 - 1858)

Image Size - 8 7/8" x 13 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with good detail as shown. Backed with paper and remargined. Vertical centerfold, vertical fold at right. Slight creasing at edges, staining. Please see photos for details.