Fireworks at Ryōgoku, from the series One Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo 1858

Utagawa Hiroshige created this print as part of his series “One Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo”. It was made using woodblock printing, a painstaking process of carving separate blocks for each color, then layering them to create the final image. Notice how the textures and lines of the wood grain are subtly visible, particularly in the deep blues of the night sky. The fireworks themselves are rendered with a delicate touch, each burst carefully placed to suggest movement and light. It's a scene of leisure, but don't forget the labor behind it. From the artisans who meticulously carved the blocks, to the printers who brought the image to life, and even the firework makers, each contributed to this celebration of urban life. This print shows us that even seemingly simple images are the result of skilled hands, collaborative effort, and a deep understanding of materials.