Chiryū c. 1832 - 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige made this woodblock print titled Chiryū as part of the series, Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaidō, sometime in the 1850s. The Kisokaidō was an ancient highway, and Hiroshige’s series played an important role in shaping the popular image of Japan for both domestic and international audiences. Note how the artist directs our gaze through a landscape dotted with grazing horses towards the distant horizon. The print’s composition highlights the harmony between humanity and nature, echoing the broader cultural values of Japan at the time. However, Hiroshige's work also subtly reflects the social hierarchy of feudal Japan, with the figures on the road likely representing travelers of different social classes. To fully appreciate works like this, we must consider the historical context. Prints such as this circulated widely, shaping perceptions of Japanese culture and landscape. By consulting historical documents and scholarly research, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and institutional forces that influenced its creation and reception.