| Method | Woodblock (nishiki-e) |
| Artist | Andô Hiroshige (1797-1858) |
| Published | 1856 (Tatsu 2), 2nd month |
| Dimensions | Ôban tate-e triptych [Each sheet ~15.6 x 10.7 inches] |
| Notes |
Signature: Hiroshige ga Publisher: Uwoyei (Shitaya) Censor Seals: Dragon 2 A rare triptych depicting groups of figures viewing the blossoms along the Tama river bank. The rows of blossom trees frequently seen in Japanese woodblocks were a common feature of cities in Japan. Under Yoshimune, the eighth shogun (1716-1745), parks with blossom trees were laid out in cities to provide the population with areas to relax and socialise in. The banks of the Sumida and Tama river were planted with cherry trees to provide areas for people to stroll and admire the blossoms in spring and also acted as socialising areas for watching fireworks in the summer, and observing the phases of the moon in autumn and winter months. Andô Hiroshige (1797 – 12 October 1858) also known as Utagawa Hiroshige, was one of the most famous Ukiyo-e artists and produced over 8,000 designs in his lifetime. Hiroshige was born in 1797 in the Yayosu Quay section of the Yaesu area in Edo and was the son of an official in the fire department. Not long after his parents death, Hiroshige began to paint at the age of 14. Initially, he sough to become a pupil of the master print maker Toyokuni; however, Toyokuni had too many pupils to take on Hiroshige and so he became a pupil of Utagawa Toyohiro. Hiroshige also studied with Okajima Rinsai and Ooka Umpo. In the 1820s Hiroshige produced prints in all the typical genres of Ukiyo-e woodblock printing: prints of women, actors, warriors, flowers, and birds. He started producing landscape prints in the early 1830s, establishing his own unique style with the series 'Famous Places in Edo' (Ichiyusai signature) and 'Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Highway' of 1832-3. He continued to excel at views of famous places throughout his career and managed to express in great detail the poetic sensibility inherent in the climate and topography of Japan and the people who lived there. Condition: Light toning to sheet. Album backing. |
| Framing | framed |
| Price | £3,850.00 |
| Stock ID | 51223 |