Surugadai, from the series "Famous Places in the Eastern Capital (Toto Meisho)"

Art Historical Context

Utagawa Kuniyoshi *Surugadai, from the series "Famous in the Eastern Capital (ōto Meisho)"* (c. 1832/33) captures the elegance of Edo (modern Tokyo) during Japan's Edo period. Part of a celebrated ukiyo-e series depicting iconic urban vistas, this print highlights Surugadai, a hilly district known for its samurai residences and cherry blossoms, offering a glimpse into the bustling "Eastern Capital." Kuniyoshi, a of the Utagawa school, infused his landscapes with dynamic energy, blending precise observation with imaginative flair typically seen in his warrior prints. Rendered as a color woodblock print in the large oban format (25.5 × 37.5 cm), the work showcases the technical brilliance of ukiyo-e production: intricate carving on wooden blocks, layered color application, and registration for vibrant hues. This medium democratized art, making sophisticated scenes affordable to everyday viewers through mass printing. Culturally, it reflects the era's fascination with meisho-e ("famous places pictures"), preserving Edo's transient beauty amid rapid urbanization. Today, housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, it invites us to wander virtually through history, evoking the poetry of city life.

About the Artist

Utagawa Kuniyoshi · 1797–1861

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) was born in Edo to the silk-dyer Yanagiya Kichiyemon, originally bearing the childhood name Yoshisaburō. From a young age, he assisted in his family's pattern design work, which sharpened his innate mastery of color and textile motifs that would permeate his later prints. At around twelve years old, his prodigious drawing skills drew the attention of the renowned Utag...