Tanokuchi in Bizen Province Possibly 1858

Utagawa Hiroshige created this woodblock print, "Tanokuchi in Bizen Province," in nineteenth-century Japan. The image is part of a series of prints that depict different landscapes of Japan. The artwork presents a panoramic view of the coastal village of Tanokuchi. In the foreground, there are boats sailing on the water, and in the background, we see mountains and a red-tinged sky. We might consider how this print was consumed in nineteenth-century Japan. Woodblock prints were affordable and accessible art form, popular among the middle and lower classes. Hiroshige’s landscape prints contributed to a growing interest in travel and tourism among the Japanese population. As historians, it is important to note that this image presents us with a specific view of Japan that is carefully mediated and constructed. It is a product of its time, reflecting both the artistic conventions of the period and the social and cultural values of the society in which it was created. To gain a deeper understanding of this artwork, we might consult historical maps, travel guides, and other primary source materials.