Kunisada: 日本橋 Nihonbashi from the Processional Tokaido (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1864)
Title: 日本橋 Nihonbashi from the Processional Tokaido
Series: Tokaido
Date: 1863

Graphically bold view of the shogun’s procession mounting the crest of Nihonbashi Bridge in Edo, the beginning of the Tokaido Road. Although we see just the hats of the approaching formation, we do see the banners being held up in perfect vertical fashion. The bridge from our view is almost empty, and the height of the bridge and the perspective seem quite exaggerated. The ordinary townsfolk at bottom seem to be hurrying along so that they can go about their own business and can avoid stopping and bowing as the procession passes them. This series was commissioned by the authorities to promote the shogun’s procession from Edo to Kyoto in 1863. Sixteen of the major print artists of the time were enlisted for this large project, from the youthful Yoshitoshi to the elderly Kunisada.  The shogun lost power not long after this expensive show of force.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: ôban (34.5 x 24.8 cm)
Publisher: Itsuka
Literature: See Marks article in Andon 81. See also MFA Boston.
Signature: by request, drawn by 78-year-old Toyokuni

SKU: KUC045S