Fuchu: The Abe River (Fuchu, Abekawa), from the series "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road (Tokaido gojusan tsugi no uchi)," also known as the Hoeido Tokaido
c. 1833/34
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Dimensions
24.8 × 37.1 cm (9 3/4 × 14 5/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
18257
Art Historical Context
Utagawa Hiroshige *Fuchu: The Abe (Fuchu, Abekawa)* is a captivating color woodblock print from his series *Fifty-three Stations the Tokaido Road (Tokaido gojusan tsugi no uchi)*, also called the Hoeido Toka, created around 1833–34. This oban-sized print (24.8 × 37.1 cm) captures the dramatic crossing of the Abe River at Fuchu station, one of 53 post stations along the historic Tokaido route connecting Edo (modern Tokyo) to Kyoto. Hiroshige, a master of the ukiyo-e tradition, immortalized these everyday journeys in lush, atmospheric landscapes that brought the thrill of travel to urban audienc...
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...