Yahagi Bridge at Okazaki 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige created the woodblock print, "Yahagi Bridge at Okazaki," as part of the series, "Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō", capturing a bustling scene of travel and commerce during the Edo period. The Tōkaidō road, connecting Edo (modern Tokyo) and Kyoto, was not only a trade route, but also a site of cultural exchange. This print invites us to consider the experiences of the diverse individuals who traversed this path. We can almost feel the weight carried by the laborers, their bodies bent under heavy loads. How did gender roles affect women's ability to travel freely? How did class hierarchies shape their interactions with those in power? Hiroshige masterfully captures the bridge as a point of connection, but also of potential social friction. As you observe the print, consider how it reflects both the communal aspect of travel and the individual struggles of those who journeyed along the Tōkaidō.