Hiroshige 広重: First Edition of Yatsukoji, inside Sujikai Gate (SOLD)

Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige 広重 (1797-1858)
Title: First Edition Yatsukoji, inside Sujikai Gate
Series: One Hundred Famous Views of Edo: Meisho Edo Hyakkei
Date: 1857

First, or deluxe edition.

The urban broad space, hiroba is located on the main road north from Nihonbashi, leading out over the Kanda River to the hilly district of Ueno, Hongô, and Koishikawa and on out of the city along the Nakasendô, the highway to Kyoto and Osaka which passed through the mountains of central Japan. This clearing served as a point of convergence for several other smaller streets, named Yatsukoji or the eight small streets. The number eight means figuratively “many”. There were ten routes converging into this unusually broad space.  The traffic of people fills the wide space. diagonally cross a procession headed by ladies-in-waiting indicating that the red-roofed palanquin probably carrries the wife of a daimyô. A daimyô’s mansion is at the upper left end of the plaza. The Sujikai Gate itself is not depicted. Instead a small guardhouse stands at the head of a less formal bridge, Shôheibashi. In distance Kanda Myôjin Shrine stands in the deep forest. Deluxe edition with large areas of mica.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition
Dimensions: ôban 36.5 x 24.6 cm
Publisher: Uoya Eikichi
Literature: Henry Smith II: Hiroshige One Hundred Famous View of Edo: plate 9. See Brooklyn Museum.
Signature: Hiroshige ga

SKU: HIC109N