Winter Desolation at Hamamatsu

by Hiroshige (1797 - 1858)

Current Status

Winter Desolation at Hamamatsu by Hiroshige (1797 - 1858)

Hiroshige (1797 - 1858) Japanese Woodblock Reprint
Winter Desolation at Hamamatsu

Series; Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido

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.

Publisher - Adachi from a rare series of Edo masterwork designs. Adachi publisher seal in margin or on reverse.

Adachi was one of the most respected publishers of the 20th century. Their woodblocks were printed to the highest standards with excellent color and fine detail. Founded in 1925, Adachi also chose interesting and varied subjects for their prints and was the only publisher of many famous old ukiyo-e images.

Winter Desolation at Hamamatsu - Terrific scene of travelers and porters gathered around a bonfire beside a large tree, trying to warm themselves on a chill winter day. At right a traveler enjoys a pipe while a woman carries a baby on her back. Clouds of pale gray smoke billow up into the clear sky. The castle and village of Hamamatsu are visible along the horizon past the fields. A classic Hiroshige design with delicate shading in the smoke.

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 - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Please see photos for details.

Winter Desolation at Hamamatsu by Hiroshige (1797 - 1858)
Winter Desolation at Hamamatsu by Hiroshige (1797 - 1858)