Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom along the Sumida River (Sumidagawa hanazakari), from the series "Famous Places in Edo (Koto meisho)"
c. 1832/34
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Dimensions
25.2 × 38 cm (9 15/16 × 14 15/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
25476
Art Historical Context
Utagawa Hiroshige a master of the ukiyo-e tradition, captures the ephemeral beauty of spring in *Cherry Blossoms in Bloom along the Sumida (Sumidagawa hanakari)*, from his series *Famous Places Edo (Koto meisho)*, created around 1832–34. This color woodblock print depicts Edo's (modern-day Tokyo) iconic Sumida River bank alive with sakura in full bloom, a beloved site for hanami—Japan's cherished cherry blossom viewing parties. During the Edo period, such prints democratized art, making scenic wonders accessible to everyday people through affordable, mass-produced oban sheets measuring about 2...
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...