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.

Takamizawa Reprints - Handsome reprint by the venerable Takamizawa publisher. Takamizawa was known as one of the finest reprint publishers of the 20th century, and produced some of the highest quality ukiyo-e woodblock reprints of all time. Drawing on the traditions and methods of the Edo era, the prints were produced replicating original Edo era colors and printed on beautiful handmade paper. The printers worked with the utmost care and great attention to detail, masterfully reproducing color and line work. All prints bear a "Takamizawa" seal on the reverse or in the margin attesting to the Takamizawa publication of these prints. A great opportunity to acquire a fine reprint of a classic ukiyo-e design.

Drying Strips of Gourd at Minakuchi - Interesting view of the village of Minakuchi, a small stop on the Tokaido Road following the mountainous Tsuchiyama region. In the foreground, three women are at work preparing kampyo (dried slices of gourd) to sell to travelers, cutting thin strips and hanging them to dry. At right, another woman drapes gourd strips along a section of bamboo fence in front of the thatched roofed houses of the village. Distant mountains appear in soft blue silhouette. Attractively colored and shaded.

Artist - Hiroshige (1797 - 1858)

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

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