Utagawa Yoshimori: American Ship off Arai

Artist: Utagawa Yoshimori
Title: American Ship off Arai  書画五拾三駅　遠江　荒井　灘之眺望

Series: “Calligraphy and Pictures for the Fifty-three Stations of the Tôkaidô” (Shoga gojûsan eki).
Date: 1872

Fantastic depiction of an American Sailing Ship off Arai. Entitled “Arai in Totomi Province: Panoramic View of the Open Sea” (Nada no chôbô), the craft is in full sail and heading toward us, frothy wake coming off the bow. The style is very much that of a western engraving. At right is a telegraph pole, helping to frame the picture. Numerous artists contributed to this series, but this is perhaps the most sought-after design.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Minor soiling bottom margin and two pinholes.
Dimensions: ôban (37.1 x 25 cm)
Publisher: Sawamuraya Seikichi
Literature: See online examples at the Met and MFA. Andreas Marks, Kunisada's Tokaido: Riddles in Japanese Woodblock Prints, 2013, pp. 51-52, and appendix 1, p. 307, no. T81.
Signature: Koseiko Kosai sha

SKU: YIC010S