Artwork
東海道五十三次 鞠子|Mariko
東海道五十三次 鞠子|Mariko 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
Utagawa Hiroshige’s woodblock print titled *Mariko* dates to circa 1838 and forms part of his extensive series *The Fifty‑three Stations of the Tōkaidō*. The image captures a roadside rest stop along the historic route that linked Edo with Kyoto, presenting a snapshot of everyday travel in the late Edo period.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts a bustling station where travelers pause for rest. A tethered horse leans against a stone wall, while figures sit on low benches or at simple tables beneath a modest roof. Some wear straw hats, others carry bundles, and a few are engaged in eating or conversation, illustrating the communal rhythm of journeying.
Technique & Style
Executed in ink and color on paper, the print employs Hiroshige’s characteristic horizontal format. Fine line work renders the texture of clothing and the subtle folds of fabric, while delicate washes suggest atmospheric light. Small decorative elements—such as hanging signs and the shading provided by trees and a fence—enhance the sense of depth and immediacy.
History & Provenance
Hiroshige, born Andō Tokutarō in 1797, adopted his artist name as his career progressed and emerged as a leading figure in ukiyo‑e, especially noted for landscape subjects. *Mariko* was produced as one of the fifty‑three stations, a popular series that circulated widely among travelers and collectors during the Edo era.
Context
Travel prints flourished in the Edo period (1603–1868), reflecting both the practical interest of travelers and a growing fascination with the countryside. Hiroshige’s series contributed to this genre by documenting the varied scenery and social interactions encountered along the Tōkaidō, offering viewers a visual itinerary of the route.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
