Pages from the illustrated book "Panoramic Views along the Banks of the Sumida River (Ehon Sumidagawa ryogan ichiran)"
1801, 1804, or 1806
Medium
Color woodblock print; double-page illustration from book
Dimensions
22.8 × 31.2 cm (9 × 12 5/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
33258
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan these pages from Katsushika Hokusai's illustrated book *Panoramic Views along the of the Sumida RiverEhon Sumidagawaogan ichiran)*, around 1801, 1804, or 1806. Hokusai, the legendary ukiyo-e master famed for *The Great Wave off Kanagawa*, captures the bustling life along Tokyo's (then Edo's) iconic Sumida River. This double-page color woodblock print (22.8 × 31.2 cm) unfolds panoramic scenes of riverbanks teeming with boats, bridges, and everyday activities, evoking the "floating world" of fleeting pleasures and urban energy. Woodblock printing, a pinnacle of Japanese craftsmanship, involved carving intricate designs into wooden blocks, layering colors by hand for stunning vibrancy. The expansive double-page format immerses viewers in sweeping vistas, showcasing Hokusai's early genius for landscape composition and atmospheric detail—techniques that would define his later masterpieces. Produced during a time of cultural flourishing under the Tokugawa shogunate, these prints highlight the Sumida's role as a vital artery for trade, festivals like the famous fireworks displays, and leisure. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this work exemplifies ukiyo-e's blend of artistry and accessibility, bridging elite book illustration with popular print culture. A window into 19th-century Japan, it reminds us of Hokusai's enduring influence on global art, from Impressionism to modern anime.
About the Artist
Katsushika Hokusai · 1760–1849
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) stands as one of history's most influential artists, a Japanese master who revolutionized the ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition and profoundly shaped Western art. Born in the Katsushika district of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to an artisan family, Hokusai lived through nearly nine decades of extraordinary creative evolution, adopting over thirty different artistic names t...