Hiroshige II: Beauties Enjoying the Seashore and View of Enoshima 相州七里ヶ浜　江之嶋金亀山遠景之図

Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige II (1826-1869)
Title: Distant View of Kinkameyama, Enoshima, from the Seven League Beach, Shoshu 相州七里ヶ浜　江之嶋金亀山遠景之図  Date: 1860

Charming scene of a collection of beauties on a pilgrimage to Enoshima, each taking her time to admire the sights from Seven-Ri (Shichirigahama) beach in Kamakura. A young woman in the middle collects seashells in her towel, holding one up to show to her companion. A group of three women at right, two with parasols, seem to be enjoying the sights together. At left are two women, one still seated in her palanquin as her porter takes a break, wiping his brow. According to the special exhibition: Ukiyo-e: Spring Pilgirmage to Enoshima, held at the Fujisawa Ukiyo-e Museum in 2018, Enoshima was a popular pilgrimage and tourist destination during the Edo period, crowded with visitors from early spring to early summer. This design was included in the exhibition, and the museum noted that at that time, women would wear yukatas over their kimonos to protect them from dust, a fashion unique to pilgrimages. Looking more closely at the work, we can indeed note that the simpler patterns of yukata do seem to be worn as a top layer; the women have also hoisted up their hems, fastening them to an added belt, certainly in order to keep them free of sand as they walk the beach and wade the shallow inlets. We see Mount Fuji rising in the center of the composition, and at left are two terrific waves that are cresting towards the right amidst the breaking waves that are nearing the shore. 

Condition: Excellent impression and perfect color. Very good condition. With minor folds along the left margin of each sheet and very minor trimming at bottom of two sheets. Small stain at bottom of middle sheet. Dimensions: ôban triptych (each sheet approx. 36 x 25 cm)
Publisher: Yorozuya Kichibei
Literature: See Fujisawa Ukiyo-e Museum
Signature: Hiroshige ga

SKU: HII038