Artwork

二代歌川広重画「諸国名所百景京都四条夕すずみ」|Enjoying the Evening Cool at Shijō in Kyoto, from the series One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces (Shokoku meisho hyakkei)

二代歌川広重画「諸国名所百景京都四条夕すずみ」|Enjoying the Evening Cool at Shijō in Kyoto, from the series One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces (Shokoku meisho hyakkei) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Hiroshige II. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The composition balances human activity with the quiet rhythms of the city, reflecting the artist’s interest in capturing fleeting moments of daily existence.

This woodblock print, dated 1859, is part of the series *One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces* by Utagawa Hiroshige II. Executed in ink and color on paper, it depicts a Kyoto scene at dusk, where urban life unfolds along the banks of a stream. The composition balances human activity with the quiet rhythms of the city, reflecting the artist’s interest in capturing fleeting moments of daily existence.

Subject & Meaning

The print portrays residents of Kyoto seeking relief from the summer heat along the Shijō riverbank. Figures recline on raised platforms, some sharing meals or conversation, while others gather across the water. The scene evokes the Japanese tradition of *nōryō*, or enjoying the evening cool, a practice that underscored the interplay between nature and urban life. Through this imagery, the work conveys a sense of communal leisure and seasonal awareness.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige II employs the *ukiyo-e* woodblock technique, layering pigments to achieve depth and texture. The palette relies on muted blues and grays, punctuated by accents of green and red, which guide the viewer’s eye across the composition. Delicate gradations of tone suggest the fading light of dusk, while fine lines delineate architectural details and human figures. The print’s style aligns with the broader *ukiyo-e* tradition, emphasizing clarity and atmospheric effect.

History & Provenance

Created in 1859, the print belongs to a series intended to showcase scenic locations across Japan. It entered the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of its holdings of Japanese woodblock prints. The work’s production coincided with a period of growing interest in domestic travel and landscape imagery, reflecting shifts in Edo-period culture and commerce.

Context

During the late Edo period, urban expansion and cultural practices shaped depictions of city life. The *One Hundred Famous Views* series responded to a demand for images of both familiar and distant locales, catering to a public increasingly engaged with travel and regional identity. Hiroshige II’s print captures a specific Kyoto custom while situating it within a broader narrative of Japanese scenic beauty.

Legacy

The print contributes to the legacy of *ukiyo-e* as a medium that documented social rituals and urban landscapes. Its inclusion in institutional collections underscores the enduring appeal of Hiroshige II’s work, which extended the themes and techniques established by his predecessor, Utagawa Hiroshige. The image remains a reference point for studies of Edo-period printmaking and the representation of everyday life.