The Naniwaya Pine Tree at Sakai in Izumi Province (Senshu Sakai Naniwaya no matsu), from the series "One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces (Shokoku meisho hyakkei)"
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban (trimmed)
Dimensions
34.3 × 21.7 cm (13 1/2 × 8 9/16 in.)
Classification
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
57264
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, where we encounter *The Naniwaya Pine at Sakai in Izumi (Senshu Sakai Nwaya no matsu)*, a stunning color woodblock print by Utagawa Hirosh II (Shigenobu), created in 1859. This oban-sized work (trimmed to 34.3 × 21.7 cm) is part of the renowned series *One Hundred Famous in the Various Provinces (Shokoku meisho hyakkei)*, Hiroshige II continued after the death of his master, Utagawa Hiroshige I. Belonging to the ukiyo-e tradition—"pictures of the floating world"—it captures the beauty of Japan's landscapes during the late Edo period, just before the Meiji Restoration transformed the nation. Hiroshige II's mastery shines in his delicate use of color woodblock printing, layering vibrant inks to evoke atmospheric depth and seasonal mood. Here, the iconic Naniwaya Pine Tree stands as a symbol of enduring natural beauty in Sakai (modern-day Osaka Prefecture), a bustling port town in Izumi Province. These prints were affordable art for everyday people, blending precise carving techniques with poetic observation to immortalize meisho, or "famous places," fostering national pride amid Japan's isolationist era. This piece invites us to appreciate how ukiyo-e elevated landscape art, influencing global masters like Van Gogh. Gaze closely at the intricate details—the pine's gnarled branches against the sky—and feel the timeless allure of Japan's provincial wonders.
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...