東海道五十三次　見附|Mitsuki

Art Historical Context

Utagawa Hiroshige *Mitsuke* (ca. 1838) is a captivating woodblock print from his renowned series *The Fifty-three of the Tōkaidō*. This iconic set of 53 prints (plus two extras) illustrates the post stations along the vital Tōkaidō road connecting Edo (modern Tokyo) to Kyoto during Japan's Edo period (1615–1868). Travel along this route was a highlight for merchants, pilgrims, and officials, and Hiroshige masterfully captured its scenic beauty and bustling life, making the series a bestseller that brought landscape art to everyday viewers. Rendered in vibrant ink and color on paper (8 1/2 x 6 1/2 in.), the print showcases Hiroshige's ukiyo-e style—evoking the "floating world" of fleeting moments. At Mitsuke station, we see horses, trees, and boats amid a riverside scene, likely depicting travelers crossing the Ōi River. The woodblock technique, involving skilled carvers and printers layering delicate colors, allowed for affordable mass production, democratizing art in 19th-century Japan. Hiroshige's atmospheric perspectives and subtle gradients influenced global artists like Van Gogh and Whistler. Acquired via the Rogers Fund in 1914, this Metropolitan Museum of Art treasure highlights Edo Japan's cultural vibrancy, blending nature's majesty with human endeavor. A window into a bygone era of wanderlust!

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...