Artwork

京都名所之内 あらし山満花|Arashiyama Manka

京都名所之内 あらし山満花|Arashiyama Manka, by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink, 1828
京都名所之内 あらし山満花|Arashiyama Manka, by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink, 1828

京都名所之内 あらし山満花|Arashiyama Manka is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Arashiyama Manka is a woodblock print created by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1828. It is part of a series showcasing notable locations in Kyoto.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene winter scene at Arashiyama, near Kyoto, featuring a snow-covered river with a few figures on a raft and a path. The tranquil atmosphere highlights the natural beauty of the area.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige employed short, sharp lines to convey the texture of trees and falling snow, a characteristic technique in woodblock printing. The use of ink and color on paper adds depth and visual interest to the scene.

Context

As a landscape-focused ukiyo-e artist, Hiroshige deviated from the genre's typical emphasis on urban scenes, instead capturing the scenic charm of Kyoto's surroundings.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Utagawa Hiroshige

Artist

Utagawa Hiroshige

Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川 広重) or Andō Hiroshige (安藤 広重), born Andō Tokutarō (安藤 徳太郎; 1797 – 12 October 1858), was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist, considered the last great master of that tradition.