105. Oumayagashi 1857

Utagawa Hiroshige made this woodblock print, titled "Oumayagashi," at an unknown date. It invites us to reflect on the fleeting beauty of the natural world and its connection to human activity. Hiroshige was part of the Ukiyo-e school of Japanese printmaking that thrived during the Edo period. The style catered to a growing urban middle class with interests in landscapes and scenes of everyday life. Here, we see figures boarding a boat, with other boats on the river and lush vegetation surrounding them. This artwork encapsulates the Japanese aesthetic valuing simplicity, harmony, and a deep connection with nature. Historians analyze these prints alongside other cultural and economic documents, as they can tell us much about the social conditions and artistic conventions of 19th-century Japan. They also shed light on the rise of a commercial art market catering to a broader audience beyond the traditional elite. This print, therefore, is not just a pretty scene, but a window into a specific moment in Japanese history.