Artwork

江戸高名会亭尽 浅草雷門前 かめや|Asakusa Kaminarimon Mae (Kameya)

江戸高名会亭尽 浅草雷門前 かめや|Asakusa Kaminarimon Mae (Kameya), by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink, 1838
江戸高名会亭尽 浅草雷門前 かめや|Asakusa Kaminarimon Mae (Kameya), by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink, 1838

江戸高名会亭尽 浅草雷門前 かめや|Asakusa Kaminarimon Mae (Kameya) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Asakusa Kaminarimon Mae (Kameya) is a woodblock print created by Utagawa Hiroshige around 1838, featuring a vibrant scene near the Thunder Gate in Asakusa.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a bustling street scene in front of the iconic red Thunder Gate, capturing everyday life in Edo-period Asakusa. Figures in traditional attire engage in various activities, conveying a sense of orderly liveliness.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink and color on paper, the print showcases ukiyo-e's characteristic blend of vibrancy and precision. Bold, bright colors—particularly reds, greens, and blues—dominate the composition, accentuating the scene's energy.

History & Provenance

Dating to the late Edo period (1603–1868), this work reflects the flourishing of ukiyo-e in urban Japan. It is part of Hiroshige's broader shift towards landscape themes, diverging from the genre's common focus on courtesans and actors.

Context

As part of Hiroshige's landscape series, Asakusa Kaminarimon Mae (Kameya) highlights the artist's interest in capturing the essence of famous locations in Edo (modern-day Tokyo), appealing to the growing urban population's nostalgia for local landmarks.

Legacy

This print, like much of Hiroshige's work, has contributed significantly to the global appreciation of ukiyo-e. Its depiction of Asakusa's Thunder Gate has become an enduring image of traditional Japanese urban life.

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.