16 Utagawa Hiroshige 1797 – 1858 Ueno, Shinobazu Pond

Japan, ca. 1835 (Edo period), 
from the series Famous Places of Edo (Edo meisho)

This gorgeous spring scene is the work of the renowned master of Japanese landscape prints, Utagawa Hiroshige. Originating from his popular series "Famous Places of Edo" (Edo meisho), the sheet captures the idyllic atmosphere of the favored excursion spot in Ueno. Groups of people are seen strolling along the banks of Shinobazu Pond, whose waters reflect the shrine complex situated on the island. The path is lined with blooming cherry trees (sakura), while the sky is rendered with a warm, pinkish gradient using the bokashi shading technique. In the lower-right corner, a seated vendor adds a touch of everyday charm to the composition. An impression of this exact design is held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in New York. The color variations present in this specific sheet compared to pristine museum examples are a typical and highly accepted result of historical printing variations and the natural aging of both the paper and organic pigments.