Mishima, from an untitled series of the fifty-three stations of the Tokaido

Art Historical Context

Katsushika Hokusai's *Mishima, from an untitled series of the fifty-three stations of the Tōkaidō* (c. 1804) captures the essence of travel along Japan's historic Eastern Sea Road, a vital route connecting Edo (modern Tokyo) to Kyoto. This woodblock print depicts the station town of Mishima, one of the 53 stops immortalized in ukiyo-e art, reflecting the era's fascination with pilgrimage, commerce, and scenic beauty. Hokusai, a master of the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") movement, produced this early work during his formative years, before masterpieces like *The Great Wave*. Printed in the compact *kokonotsugiri-ban* format—measuring just 12.6 × 17.5 cm—this color woodblock print exemplifies efficient Japanese printing techniques. Multiple carved woodblocks were inked and layered to achieve vibrant hues and fine details, making such affordable images accessible to everyday people. Unlike Hokusai's later grand landscapes, this intimate scale highlights bustling daily life, blending travelers, architecture, and nature in harmonious composition. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this piece underscores the Tōkaidō's cultural role as a symbol of mobility and national identity in Edo-period Japan (1603–1868). It offers a window into Hokusai's evolving genius, foreshadowing his influence on global art, from Impressionism to modern design.

About the Artist

Katsushika Hokusai · 1760–1849

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) stands as one of history's most influential artists, a Japanese master who revolutionized the ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition and profoundly shaped Western art. Born in the Katsushika district of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to an artisan family, Hokusai lived through nearly nine decades of extraordinary creative evolution, adopting over thirty different artistic names t...