Kanno River at Shingawa Station [sic Possibly 1852

This woodblock print, *Kanno River at Shingawa Station*, is a powerful example of the work of the prolific Japanese artist Utagawa Kunisada. It depicts a samurai, likely a character from a popular kabuki play, in a moment of deep sorrow. The samurai's face is full of anguish, and his posture is slumped and defeated. The dramatic use of color and the detailed patterns of the samurai’s clothing create a sense of intensity and emotion, which are central to the ukiyo-e genre. The background, with its distant view of a mountain, and the river in the foreground, provides a stark contrast to the close-up view of the samurai’s face, drawing the viewer in to witness his inner turmoil.