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 Famous Teahouse at Mariko - Attractive view of the famous teahouse at Mariko, where travelers could rest, stock up on necessities, or enjoy a cup of tea. Two men sit on a bench having a meal, while a woman with a child on her back beneath her kimono serves them. At left, another man has started back on the road, a straw raincoat and woven hat hung from the pole over his shoulder. The slopes of the Sarugababa Plain stretch into the distance beneath a sky flooded with rosy light. Lovely color and soft 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 - 7 5/8" x 11 7/8" + margins as shown

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