Artwork
江戸高名会亭尽 湯島 松琴亭|Yushima (Matsu Kane-ya)
江戸高名会亭尽 湯島 松琴亭|Yushima (Matsu Kane-ya) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1840 by Utagawa Hiroshige, this woodblock print belongs to his series documenting well‑known eateries of Edo. Executed with ink and color on paper, the image captures an interior scene in the Yushima district, a locale noted for its winter scenery and cultural activity.
Subject & Meaning
Six figures are shown seated on tatami, gathered around low tables. Some are engaged in writing, others read or converse, while a few hold brushes and scrolls. The composition juxtaposes quiet scholarly pursuits with a relaxed social atmosphere, reflecting everyday intellectual life in a winter setting.
Technique & Style
The work employs the traditional ukiyo‑e woodblock process, combining line work in black ink with subtle color washes. Hiroshige’s handling of perspective renders the interior depth, while the exterior view through sliding doors reveals a muted, snow‑covered landscape, emphasizing contrast between interior warmth and cold outside.
History & Provenance
Part of the "Famous Restaurants of Edo" series, the print was produced for the commercial market that catered to travelers and city dwellers interested in notable locales. It has been held in several Japanese collections before entering Western museum holdings in the early 20th century.
Context
Unlike many contemporary ukiyo‑e subjects that focus on actors or courtesans, Hiroshige often turned to landscapes and local scenes. This piece illustrates his interest in depicting ordinary urban spaces, offering a glimpse into the cultural practices of Edo’s educated class during the late Tokugawa period.
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.
