名所江戸百景　真間の紅葉手古那の社継はし|Maples at Mama, from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant tradition of ukiyo-e woodblock prints, Utagawa Hirosh's *Maples at Mama, the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo*ca. 1857) captures the fleeting beauty of autumn in Edo-period Japan (1615–1868). This iconic landscape depicts brilliant red maples framing the ancient Shinmei Shrine at Mama, a scenic spot along the Tone River northeast of Edo (modern Tokyo). Hiroshige, a master of the genre alongside Hokusai, skillfully renders the season's splendor with layered colors and atmospheric perspective, evoking a sense of poetic transience central to Japanese aesthetics. Printed using intricate woodblock techniques—carved blocks inked with pigments and overlaid on mulberry paper—the 9-by-14-inch work exemplifies the collaborative artistry of Edo's print workshops. Published between 1856 and 1859 by Shitaya Uhei, the *One Hundred Famous Views of Edo* series innovatively portrayed urban and rural vistas across all seasons, blending realism with subtle emotional depth. Hiroshige's innovative use of bold colors and diagonal compositions influenced later Impressionists like Monet and Van Gogh. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (purchased via the Joseph Pulitzer Bequest in 1918), this print invites visitors to savor Edo's natural wonders, reminding us of nature's enduring harmony with human life.

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...