The Small Inlet of Hikisa at Horie Kanzanji Possibly 1853 - 1858

Utagawa Hiroshige created this woodblock print of the small inlet of Hikisa at Horie Kanzanji. It is part of a series called "Sixty-odd Famous Places in Tōtōmi Province". Japanese woodblock prints, such as this one, played a crucial role in shaping cultural perceptions and promoting tourism during the Edo period. Hiroshige capitalizes on the increasing interest in landscape imagery. The composition emphasizes the serene beauty of the inlet, inviting viewers to imagine themselves in this idyllic setting. The print also acted as a form of advertisement for the area. To understand the work, one might consult travel guides and topographical surveys of the period. This historical approach highlights the ways in which art is not just an aesthetic object but also a product of economic and social forces.