Kyoto (Print #55 in the Fifty-Five Views of the Tokaido Road series)

In the image, a traditional Japanese woodblock print depicts a bustling wooden bridge over a calm river, set against a backdrop of towering mountains and a serene village. The scene captures several people crossing the bridge, some carrying goods while others leisurely walk, highlighting the vibrant activity of everyday life.

In the image, a traditional Japanese woodblock print depicts a bustling wooden bridge over a calm river, set against a backdrop of towering mountains and a serene village. The scene captures several people crossing the bridge, some carrying goods while others leisurely walk, highlighting the vibrant activity of everyday life.

Name/Title

Kyoto (Print #55 in the Fifty-Five Views of the Tokaido Road series)

Entry/Object ID

2014.12.4.55

Description

In the foreground the "long" bridge over the Kamo River, and people crossing over, with the town beyond, behind which rise hills overlooking it, the most distant printed from graded colourblock only. While decending to Kyoto, travellers could enjoy a panoramic view of the elegant imperial capital from the mountain pass and undoubtedly felt joy and relief at seeing the final destination of their journey from Edo. In those days it was the wish of every Japanese to see Kyoto once in his life.

Type of Print

Woodcut

Category

Vault, Japanese, People, Architecture, Landscape
Ethnic

Made/Created

Artist

Utagawa Hiroshige

Dimensions

Dimension Description

image size

Height

8-5/8 in

Width

13-7/8 in