Artwork

木曾路之山川|Mountains and Rivers Along the Kisokaidō

木曾路之山川|Mountains and Rivers Along the Kisokaidō, by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink
木曾路之山川|Mountains and Rivers Along the Kisokaidō, by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink

木曾路之山川|Mountains and Rivers Along the Kisokaidō is an ink print by Utagawa Hiroshige. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Utagawa Hiroshige's 'Mountains and Rivers Along the Kisokaidō' is a triptych woodblock print created in ink and color on paper. It is part of a series inspired by the Kisokaidō route, a mountainous path between Edo and Kyoto.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene snowy mountain landscape with a winding river, dark sky dotted with stars, and bare trees. A small bridge spans the river, evoking a sense of stillness and tranquility.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige employed thin, precise lines to create shadows and texture, particularly on trees and cliffs, achieving a quiet and detailed effect. The predominantly blue, white, and gray color palette enhances the scene's calm atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created around 1834, the print is a representative work of Hiroshige's landscape-focused oeuvre, diverging from traditional ukiyo-e subjects. It is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

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.