The Compound on Mount Narita, Shimosa Province (Shimosa Naritasan keidai) from the series “One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces (Shokoku meisho hyakkei)”
Medium
Color woodblock print
Dimensions
Paper: 36.3 × 24.7 cm (14 5/16 × 9 3/4 in.); Block: 34.5 × 22.8 cm (13 5/8 × 9 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
196774
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, where you'll find *The Compound on Mount Narita,osa Province (Shimosaitasan keidai)*, a stunning 1859 color woodblock print by Uawa Hiroshige IIShigenobu). Part of the series *One Hundred Famous Views the Various Provinces (Shoku meisho hyakkei)*, this work captures the expansive temple grounds of Naritasan Shinshoji a renowned Buddhist temple complex on Mount Narita in what is now Chiba Prefecture. Hiroshige II, a pupil of his uncle Utagawa Hiroshige I, masterfully continued the ukiyo-e tradition of landscape prints, blending serene architecture with dramatic natural vistas. Printed during the late Edo period amid Japan's growing fascination with travel and famous sites, this piece reflects the era's *meisho-e* (famous places) genre, which popularized scenic views through affordable woodblock prints. The temple, dedicated to Fudo Myoo and a pilgrimage hub, symbolizes spiritual refuge and cultural heritage. Hiroshige II's composition emphasizes atmospheric depth, with layered roofs, misty hills, and vibrant colors achieved through precise carving of multiple woodblocks—a labor-intensive technique that made ukiyo-e accessible to everyday viewers. Measuring about 14 x 10 inches, this print invites you to imagine pilgrims traversing the compound, evoking the transient beauty central to Japanese aesthetics. A testament to Hiroshige II's skill in carrying forward his master's legacy, it remains a vivid window into 19th-century Japan.
About the Artist
Utagawa Hiroshige II (Shigenobu) · 1826–1869
Utagawa Hiroshige II, born Suzuki Chinpei in 1826, was one of the most accomplished ukiyo-e artists of mid-nineteenth century Japan. He entered the studio of the celebrated landscape master Utagawa Hiroshige I — known for his iconic series "The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" — and proved himself the most talented of the elder artist's few students. So highly regarded was the young pupil that...