Artwork

Shinyoshiwara Emonzaka Nihonzutsumi (Harimaya)|江戸高名会亭尽新吉原衣紋坂日本堤播磨屋|The Harimaya at Shinyoshiwara Emonzaka Nihonzutsumi

Shinyoshiwara Emonzaka Nihonzutsumi (Harimaya)|江戸高名会亭尽新吉原衣紋坂日本堤播磨屋|The Harimaya at Shinyoshiwara Emonzaka Nihonzutsumi 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

This woodblock print, created by Utagawa Hiroshige around 1838, is part of the *Edo Meisho Zue* series. It captures a scene from the Shinyoshiwara district in Edo-period Japan, focusing on the Harimaya establishment within the licensed pleasure quarters.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a bustling street scene near Harimaya, showcasing daily life in Edo's pleasure quarters. While the setting is a hub of entertainment, the composition emphasizes architecture and urban activity over figures or explicit leisure themes.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige employs his characteristic use of flat colors and clear outlines to convey depth in a stylized manner. The result is a lively yet orderly snapshot of urban life, typifying his approach to capturing everyday scenes.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1838 for the *Edo Meisho Zue* series, this work is a representative example of Hiroshige's contribution to ukiyo-e beyond his famed landscape series.

Context

Unlike typical ukiyo-e prints that highlight figures or entertainment, this work reflects Hiroshige's interest in urban and architectural subjects, offering a unique glimpse into Edo's daily life.

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.