Kites of Fukuroi and Distant View of Akiba in Totomi Province (Enshu Akiba enkei Fukuroi tako), from the series "One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces (Shokoku meisho hyakkei)"
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Dimensions
36.3 × 24.6 cm (14 1/4 × 9 11/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
34383
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant tradition of ukiyo-e woodblock prints *Kites of Fukuroi and D View of Akiba in Totomi Province* (1859) showcases the masterful landscape style of Utagawa Hiroige II (Shigen), a devoted pupil of the legendary Hiroshige I. of the series *One Hundred Famous Views in Various Provinces (Shokoku meisho hyakkei)*, oban-sized color woodblock print (36.3 × 24.6 cm) captures a lively scene in Totomi Provincemodern-day Shizuoka Prefecture). Soaring kites dot the sky above the post town of Fukuroi, while the majestic, mist-shrouded Mount Akiba looms in the distance, blending everyday festiv...
About the Artist
Utagawa Hiroshige II (Shigenobu) · 1826–1869
Utagawa Hiroshige II, born Suzuki Chinpei in 1826, was one of the most accomplished ukiyo-e artists of mid-nineteenth century Japan. He entered the studio of the celebrated landscape master Utagawa Hiroshige I — known for his iconic series "The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" — and proved himself the most talented of the elder artist's few students. So highly regarded was the young pupil that...