The Sumida River in Musashi Province (Musashi Sumidagawa), from the series "Famous Places in the Provinces (Shokoku meisho)"
c. 1834/35
Medium
Color woodblock print; horizontal otanzaku
Dimensions
38.4 × 18 cm (15 1/8 × 7 1/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
40568
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
**The Sumida River in Musashi Province (Musashi Sumidagawa)**, created by Totoya Hokkei around 1834/35, captures the serene beauty of one of Japan's most iconic waterways. Part of Hokkei's series *Famous Places in the (Shokoku meisho)*, this color woodblock print depicts the Sumida River in Musashi Province—now part of modern Tokyo—highlighting its role as a vital artery for travel, commerce, and leisure during the Edo period (1603–1868). Hokkei, a skilled ukiyo-e artist and pupil of the legendary Katsushika Hokusai, drew inspiration from the rising popularity of landscape prints that celebrated Japan's provincial wonders. Printed in the horizontal *otanzaku* format (38.4 × 18 cm), this narrow composition emphasizes vertical flow, mimicking the river's gentle course and allowing for intimate display in homes. Ukiyo-e woodblock techniques—carving intricate blocks for layered colors and fine details—brought vibrant blues, greens, and subtle gradients to life, making art accessible to everyday viewers. This medium democratized beauty, reflecting a cultural shift toward appreciating nature's fleeting moments amid Japan's urbanizing society. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, the print exemplifies ukiyo-e's enduring influence on global art, from Impressionism to modern design. Visitors will appreciate how Hokkei's work evokes the tranquility of the Sumida, inviting reflection on Japan's harmonious blend of human activity and natural splendor.
About the Artist
Totoya Hokkei · 1780–1850
Totoya Hokkei (魚屋 北渓, 1780–1850), born Iwakubo Tatsuyuki in Edo (modern Tokyo), began his life as a humble fishmonger in the Yotsuya Samegahashi district, a trade reflected in his art name "Totoya," meaning fish shop. He transitioned to art through rigorous training, first studying under Kanō Yōsen'in Korenobu, head of the Kobikichō branch of the prestigious Kanō school, where he honed landscape p...