Buyō Kanazawa Hasshō Yakei|雪月花　武陽金沢八勝夜景|Full Moon at Kanazawa, Province of Musashi

Art Historical Context

This striking triptych, *Full Moon at Kanazawa, Province of Musashi*, was created by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1857 during Japan’s Edo period. A master of ukiyo-e landscape prints, Hiroshige captures the luminous glow of a full moon over the waters of Kanazawa (in present-day Yokohama). The scene belongs to his “Snow, Moon, and Flowers” (*Setsugekka*) series, which celebrates seasonal beauty across famous sites. Rendered as three woodblock prints inked in rich colors on paper, the format allows a sweeping panoramic view that draws the eye across boats gliding beneath the moonlit sky. Hiroshige’s woodblock technique excels at conveying atmosphere with subtle gradations of blue and silver tones, evoking the quiet magic of night. Small figures on the vessels and distant shore add a sense of scale and everyday life, while the moon’s reflection ripples across the water. Such prints were affordable souvenirs for travelers and city dwellers, spreading images of Japan’s scenic wonders far beyond their original locations. Today the work resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Asian Art collection, a testament to Hiroshige’s enduring influence on both Japanese and Western artists who admired his poetic approach to landscape.

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...