Seventeen views of Edo

edo01.jpg

View From Massaki of Suijin Shrine, Uchigawa Inlet, and Sekiya.

The views are prints by Utagawa Hiroshige from a series, One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (1856–58), which actually contains 119 different views in all. The ones I’ve chosen stand out for their striking formality, the hints of activities taking place outside the frame of the picture, and the contrast of distant views with extreme close-ups. The series ends on a metaphysical note with foxes gathering at night attended by “kitsunebi” ghost flames.

edo03.jpg

Hachiman Shrine in Ichigaya.

edo03.jpg

Yoroi Ferry, Koami-cho.

edo04.jpg

Mannen Bridge in Fukagawa.

edo05.jpg

Suido Bridge and the Surugadai Quarter.

edo06.jpg

The Sanno Festival Procession at Kojimachi itchome.

edo07.jpg

The Ferry at Haneda and the Benten Shrine.

edo08.jpg

The City Flourishing, the Tanabata Festival.

edo09.jpg

Ushimachi in Takanawa.

edo10.jpg

Moon Viewing.

edo11.jpg

Naito Shinjuku in Yotsuya.

edo12.jpg

“Moon Pine” in Ueno.

edo13.jpg

Asakusa Ricefields and Torinomachi Festival.

edo14.jpg

Fukagawa Susaki and Jumantsubo.

edo15.jpg

The Takata Riding Grounds.

edo16.jpg

Horikiri Iris Garden.

edo17.jpg

Kitsunebi on New Year’s Night under the Enoki Tree near Oji.

Previously on { feuilleton }
The art of Yuhan Ito, 1882–1951
Eight Views of Cherry Blossom
Fourteen views of Himeji Castle
One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji
The art of Kato Teruhide, 1936–2015
Fifteen ghosts and a demon
Hiroshi Yoshida’s India
The art of Hasui Kawase, 1883–1957
The art of Paul Binnie
Nineteen views of Zen gardens
Ten views of the Itsukushima Shrine
Charles Bartlett’s prints
Sixteen views of Meoto Iwa
Waves and clouds
Yoshitoshi’s ghosts
Japanese moons
The Hell Courtesan
Nocturnes

2 thoughts on “Seventeen views of Edo”

  1. That last image was used on the cover of the NYRB’s publication of Once and Forever: The Tales of Kenji Miyazawa.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Discover more from { feuilleton }

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading