Aki Province: Festival at the Itsukushima Shrine (Aki, Itsukushima sairei no zu), from the series "Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces (Rokujuyoshu meisho zue)"
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
130573
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
In Utagawa Hiroshige's masterful color woodblock print *Aki Province: Festival the Itsukushima Shrine (1853), part of his renowned series *Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces (*Rokujuyoshu meisho zue*), we glimpse a lively celebration at one of Japan's most iconic Shinto shrines. Created during the final years of the Edo period, this oban-sized print (about 14 x 10 inches) captures the essence of provincial festivals, blending Hiroshige's signature prowess with scenes of human activity. The series, produced from 1853 to 1856, showcases scenic beauty across Japan's 68 provinces, reflecting a nostalgic view of the nation amid growing Western influences. Itsukushima Shrine in Aki Province (modern-day Hiroshima Prefecture) is famed for its dramatic "floating" torii gate in the Inland Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site symbolizing harmony between land, sea, and divinity. Hiroshige animates the festival with throngs of pilgrims in boats and on shores, lanterns aglow under a twilight sky, evoking communal joy and spiritual reverence. His ukiyo-e style—known for atmospheric perspective, subtle color gradients, and dynamic compositions—elevates everyday rituals into timeless poetry. As a pinnacle of woodblock printing artistry, this piece highlights the collaborative craft: carvers, printers, and publishers layering vibrant hues from multiple blocks. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, it invites visitors to ponder Japan's cultural tapestry, where nature and tradition dance in perfect balance.
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...