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.

The Sakawa River at Odawara, circa 1833 - 1834 - 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" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Stitching holes at side, small thinning spot at edge, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, rubbing at edges. Please see photos for details.