51 (65) The Sannō Festival Procession at Kōjimachi Itchōme 1857

Utagawa Hiroshige crafted this woodblock print titled, "The Sannō Festival Procession at Kōjimachi Itchōme". During the Edo period, festivals like the Sannō Matsuri were vital displays of social cohesion. Held annually in Edo, now Tokyo, the Sannō Festival was one of the city's most important religious events. The procession, a parade through the city, highlighted the intersection of religious practice and community identity. These festivals functioned as a form of social expression, allowing commoners to participate in shared cultural experiences and publicly reaffirm their place within the city. Hiroshige captured the emotional and experiential aspects of the festival, offering viewers a glimpse into the sensory richness of Edo life. "The Sannō Festival Procession at Kōjimachi Itchōme" reflects how cultural events help to maintain community identity, offering an emotional connection to the past.