Artwork
東海道五十三次 土山|Tsuchiyama, from the series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road
東海道五十三次 土山|Tsuchiyama, 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
Tsuchiyama is a woodblock print from Utagawa Hiroshige's series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road, created using ink and color on paper. It depicts a scenic stop along the historic route connecting Edo to Kyoto.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a winding road through a green valley, flanked by steep mountains, with travelers carrying bundles. The serene landscape, rendered in soft blues and greens, captures a tranquil moment along the Tōkaidō road.
Technique & Style
Hiroshige employed fine lines to create texture, adding depth to the grass and mountains. This technique contributes to the scene's detailed appearance, even at a distance. The use of ink and color on paper is characteristic of ukiyo-e, a genre in which Hiroshige distinguished himself through his focus on landscapes.
History & Provenance
The print is part of a series documenting the Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road, a historic route between Edo and Kyoto. It is now held in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
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.
東海道五十三次 二川|Futakawa, from the series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road
東海道五十三次 阪之下|Sakanoshita, from the series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road
東海道五十三次 土山 鈴鹿山の図|Tsuchiyama: Suzuka-yama no zu.
東海道五十三次・庄野 白雨|Sudden Shower at Shōno, from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō
東海道五十三次 亀山|Kameyama, from the series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road
東海道五十三次 土山 春の雨|Spring Rain at Tsuchiyama, from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō
Tsuchiyama Haru no Ame|東海道五十三次之内 土山 春の雨|Spring Rain at Tsuchiyama (50th Station of the Tōkaidō)
東海道五十三次 土山|Tsuchiyama
東海道五十三次之内 蒲原 夜の雪|Evening Snow at Kanbara, from the series "Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō"