Akasaka—No. 37, from the series "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido (Tokaido gojusan tsugi)," also known as the Reisho Tokaido
c. 1847/52
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Dimensions
25.5 × 38 cm (10 1/16 × 14 15/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
18314
Art Historical Context
Utagawa Hiroshige *Akasaka—No. 37* from the series *Fifty Stations of the Tōkaidō (Tōkaidō gojūsan tsugi)*, also known as the Reo Tōkaidō, captures the essence of travel along Japan's historic coastal highway during the Edo period (1603–1868). around 1847–52 as a color woodblock print in the large oban format (25.5 × 38 cm), this work is part of Hiroshige's series depicting the 53 post stations between Edo (modern Tokyo) and Kyoto. The Tōkaidō road was a vital artery for pilgrims, merchants, and samurai, symbolizing mobility and cultural exchange in feudal Japan. Hiroshige, a master of the uk...
About the Artist
Utagawa Hiroshige · 1826–1869
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), born Andō Tokutarō, was the last great master of Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock printmaking and one of the most influential landscape artists in history. Born in Edo (modern Tokyo) into a low-ranking samurai family serving as fire wardens, Hiroshige transformed landscape printmaking into a poetic meditation on nature, weather, and everyday life. His revolutionary approac...