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 Suruga Bank of the Oi River near Shimada - A beautiful, Tokaido print showing the shallow river crossing near Shimada. In dry weather, the Oi was actually a stream and was quite easily crossed by the large parties traveling down the Tokaido road. This terrific Hiroshige print showing a daimyo party crossing the road and using the assistance of local servants to carry palanquins and parcels accompanying the daimyo party.

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

Condition - The print with excellent color and detail. Please see photos for details.