Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) was the great chronicler of Japan's old highways, and this print belongs to that work — a view of the post-town of Fukushima. Fukushima was a station on the Kisokaidō, the inland mountain road that linked Edo and Kyoto through the Kiso valley. It was known for one of the major barrier checkpoints along the route.
Travellers move along the road with umbrellas raised, perhaps against rain, passing toward a gate among red-leaved trees and green hills. Hiroshige cut the design as a colour woodblock print. The grouped figures and the weather give the scene the lived-in, travelling feeling that runs through all his road views.
The print carries a quiet sense of passage — people on the move, a town ahead. It suits a hallway, an entryway, or a study, and its greens, reds, and soft sky settle in beside wood and natural textiles.
This artwork is made to order in three forms. The unframed poster is printed on heavy matte paper. The fram . . . Read More >>
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) was the great chronicler of Japan's old highways, and this print belongs to that work — a view of the post-town of Fukushima. Fukushima was a station on the Kisokaidō, the inland mountain road that linked Edo and Kyoto through the Kiso valley. It was known for one of the major barrier checkpoints along the route.
Travellers move along the road with umbrellas raised, perhaps against rain, passing toward a gate among red-leaved trees and green hills. Hiroshige cut the design as a colour woodblock print. The grouped figures and the weather give the scene the lived-in, travelling feeling that runs through all his road views.
The print carries a quiet sense of passage — people on the move, a town ahead. It suits a hallway, an entryway, or a study, and its greens, reds, and soft sky settle in beside wood and natural textiles.
This artwork is made to order in three forms. The unframed poster is printed on heavy matte paper. The framed edition sits behind shatter-resistant acrylic, lighter and safer than glass. The canvas option is satin-coated cotton, stretched over a solid wooden frame. Each format keeps the warm, weathered palette of the original.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Fukushima Station?
Fukushima was a post-town on the Kisokaidō, the mountain highway that ran between Edo and Kyoto through the Kiso valley. Post-towns offered travellers lodging and rest.
What was the barrier at Fukushima?
Kiso-Fukushima held one of the major barrier checkpoints on the route, where officials inspected travellers and goods. It was an important point on the road.
Why are the travellers carrying umbrellas?
The raised umbrellas suggest rain. Hiroshige often built his road scenes around weather, which gave each station its own mood.
Who was Utagawa Hiroshige?
Hiroshige (1797–1858) was a leading master of the Japanese woodblock landscape, celebrated above all for his series following Japan's great highways.
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Japan historical period: Edo 江戸 (1603-1868)
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#Japan
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#Japanese Woodblock Print
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#Journey
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#Landscape
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#Meisho-E
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#Path
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#Pathway
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#Plum Blossom
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#River
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#Shrine
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#Snow
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#Sparrow
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#Stone Wall
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#Tokaido Road
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#Torii
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#Torii Gate
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#Travelers
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#Ukiyo-E
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#Umbrellas
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#Utagawa Hiroshige
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#Winter
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#Woods
