東海道五十三次　保土ヶ谷

Art Historical Context

Utagawa Hiroshige1797–1858), a master of ukiyo woodblock prints, created *Tōkaidō Gojūsan-tsugi: Hodogaya* as part of his renowned *The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō* series, first published in the 1830s. This early 20th-century edition the third station along the historic Tōkaidō road, a vital coastal route connecting Edo (modern Tokyo) to Kyoto during Japan's Edo period (1603–1868). Travelers relied on these post stations for rest, making Hiroshige's views snapshots of everyday life amid scenic beauty. Printed in vibrant ink and color on paper, the intimate 7 x 9 in. format captures a...

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...