Artwork

東海道五十三次御油|Goyu, from the series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road

東海道五十三次御油|Goyu, from the series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road is an ink print by Utagawa Hiroshige. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, Goyu, is part of Utagawa Hiroshige's series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road. Created in the Edo period, it depicts a scene along the Tōkaidō, a major route between Edo and Kyoto.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows travelers crossing a rickety bridge, emphasizing their collective effort rather than individual identities. The blurred faces and focus on the activity suggest a narrative centered on the journey.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink and color on paper, the print features bright, flat colors and a pale sky, evoking a storybook quality. The composition includes a prominent tree and thatched-roof houses, characteristic of Hiroshige's landscape style.

History & Provenance

Although the exact creation date is not specified, Hiroshige's series was produced during the Edo period, marking a departure from traditional ukiyo-e themes by focusing on landscapes and travel scenes.

Artist & collection

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.

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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