102. Minowa, Kanasugi and Mikawashima 1857

This is “Minowa, Kanasugi and Mikawashima,” a woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige. The composition is strikingly divided into horizontal registers, each contributing to the overall sense of depth and perspective, yet unified by the narrative interplay between the two cranes. Hiroshige masterfully manipulates line and color. Notice how the stark white plumage of the cranes contrasts with the deep blues and greens of the landscape. The crane’s downward gaze is mirrored by the other crane, which directs our vision towards the horizon. The meticulous rendering of the feathers and reeds, achieved through precise carving, adds a tactile quality to the scene, enhancing the immersive experience. The print challenges conventional perspective, inviting us to consider the relationship between foreground and background, near and far, nature and culture. In this respect, we can appreciate how Hiroshige uses signs and symbols, deeply embedded in Japanese culture, to engage with broader ideas of space, perception, and the human experience of landscape.