13 Possibly 1855 - 1857

This woodblock print was made by Utagawa Hiroshige in Japan. It shows the everyday life of the people, particularly the lower classes, during the Edo period. Imagery of this kind was popularized by the rise of the merchant class, who had the money and leisure time to enjoy art but were excluded from the cultural activities of the aristocracy. This print shows figures crossing a bridge in the snow. Dominating the scene is the imposing Mount Fuji, a sacred symbol in Japanese culture. Hiroshige's work helped to solidify the image of Japan as a beautiful and culturally rich place. Historians use a range of resources, including archival records, social histories, and cultural studies, to understand the multiple meanings of such images. In doing so we can discover the crucial role art plays in reflecting and shaping the social and cultural norms of its time.