11/55

About this artwork

signature: ‘Hiroshige ga’

Art Historical Context

"11/55" is a captivating woodblock print from the renowned series *The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō* by Utagawa Hiroshige (I), a master of ukiyo-e during Japan's Edo period (1828–1835). This 11th installment captures a scenic vista along the vital Tōkaidō highway, the coastal route connecting Edo (modern Tokyo) to Kyoto. Hiroshige's early work in this blockbuster series, published by Hoeidō, revolutionized landscape depiction in popular art, blending poetic observation with everyday travel drama. Printed in *nishiki-e*—or "brocade pictures"—this horizontal *ōban* sheet (246 × 358 mm) showcases the pinnacle of multicolored woodblock printing. Artisans used dozens of meticulously carved blocks, each inked in vibrant hues like Prussian blue and vermilion, layered with exquisite precision to evoke misty mountains, flowing rivers, and bustling travelers. Hiroshige's signature, "Hiroshige ga," affirms its authenticity. Culturally, these prints fueled a travel craze among urbanites unable to journey themselves, immortalizing feudal Japan's beauty and transience. Hiroshige's atmospheric style later inspired Impressionists like Van Gogh, bridging East and West. A gem of ukiyo-e's golden age, it invites visitors to ponder the poetry of passage.