Ferry at Kawaguchi and Zenkō-ji Temple (Kawaguchi no watashi Zenkō-ji), Number 20 from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei) Possibly 1857

Curator: This is "Ferry at Kawaguchi and Zenkō-ji Temple," a print from Utagawa Hiroshige's series "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo." Editor: It's a peaceful scene, almost dreamlike. The pale blue wash and the tiny figures really give a sense of scale. Curator: Hiroshige was a master of ukiyo-e, these woodblock prints that captured everyday life in Edo, now Tokyo. He died in 1858. Editor: The procession of rafts is what grabs me. They're crossing the water, presumably headed to that little temple up there, aren't they? Each raft has its own story. Curator: Absolutely. Edo was transforming rapidly. Hiroshige was interested in the public role of landscapes. Editor: It’s a reminder that art can be found anywhere. Even in just the light on water, or a journey across a river. Curator: Yes, and hopefully, now more people can appreciate this print within the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It definitely sparked my curiosity, I’m now imagining the sounds of that river, and the stories of those travelers.