Tempelgronden van het Akiba heiligdom te Ukiji 1857

This print of the Akiba shrine was made by Utagawa Hiroshige in nineteenth-century Japan, using the technique of woodblock printing. The process begins with a drawing, which is then transferred onto a block of wood, usually cherry. Specialist artisans would then carve the block, and apply ink to its surface. Paper is laid on the block, and rubbed to transfer the image. A separate block is required for each color, and it's evident that Hiroshige made use of several here. The appeal of woodblock prints resided in their relative affordability. They were consumed by a broad public, quite unlike unique paintings that were only available to the elite. This one is particularly evocative, as Hiroshige, known for his atmospheric landscapes, captures the shrine’s tranquil setting. The beauty of the natural world, coupled with the skillful rendering of line and color, makes the print a desirable object even today.