View of Mt. Asama from the Usui Pass

Art Historical Context

Utagawa Kuniyoshi *View of Mt. As from the Usui Pass (ca. 1850) captures the dramatic majesty of Japan's Mount Asama as seen from the rugged Usui Pass, a travel route linking Edo (modern Tokyo) to the interior. This woodblock print, a of the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") tradition, showcases Kuniyoshi's mastery late-career landscapes. Known primarily for his dynamic warrior prints and whimsical depictions of animals, the artist here shifts to nature's grandeur, blending towering peaks, misty trees, and expansive skies in a serene yet awe-inspiring vista. Printed with vibrant inks and colors on paper during Japan's Edo period (1615–1868), the work exemplifies the collaborative woodblock process: artists designed, carvers shaped blocks, and printers applied layers of color for rich depth and subtle gradients. At just 9⅝ × 14₁/₁₆ inches, these affordable prints brought scenic beauty to urban homes, fueling a craze for famous views amid growing domestic tourism. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department, this piece reflects Edo Japan's fascination with the transient beauty of landscapes, evoking the spiritual reverence for mountains in Shinto tradition. A perfect window into 19th-century Japanese wanderlust!

About the Artist

Utagawa Kuniyoshi · 1797–1861

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) was born in Edo to the silk-dyer Yanagiya Kichiyemon, originally bearing the childhood name Yoshisaburō. From a young age, he assisted in his family's pattern design work, which sharpened his innate mastery of color and textile motifs that would permeate his later prints. At around twelve years old, his prodigious drawing skills drew the attention of the renowned Utag...