1. Nihonbashi. Clearing After Snow 1857

"Nihonbashi. Clearing After Snow" is a woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige, a renowned artist known for his landscapes, created in 1857. It depicts a bustling scene in Edo, present-day Tokyo, with the Nihonbashi Bridge in the foreground and Mount Fuji in the distance. This iconic bridge was a key commercial center, and Hiroshige captures the dynamism of its activity with vivid detail. The use of rich blue and light pink hues creates a sense of serenity following a snowfall, highlighting the picturesque beauty of Edo's urban landscape. This print is an excellent example of ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese art that flourished in the Edo period and captured the everyday life of common people.