Enjoying the Cool of Evening on the Riverbed at Shijō by Utagawa Hiroshige

Enjoying the Cool of Evening on the Riverbed at Shijō c. 1834

print, ink, color-on-paper

aged paper

toned paper

water colours

print

japan

personal sketchbook

ink

color-on-paper

coloured pencil

coffee painting

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

sketchbook art

watercolor

This woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige, *Enjoying the Cool of Evening on the Riverbed at Shijō*, depicts a scene of leisure and social activity in Edo (present-day Tokyo) around the year 1834. The work belongs to the *One Hundred Famous Views of Edo* series, which aimed to capture the beauty and essence of various locations throughout the city. The print showcases the lively atmosphere of Shijō, with numerous people enjoying the evening breeze along the riverbanks, illuminated by lanterns. The composition highlights the scenic beauty of the river, the distant mountains, and the vibrant street life, offering a glimpse into the daily routines and entertainment of Edo's inhabitants.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Kawadoko, a riverside dinner, is an ingenious way to enjoy a long summer evening with friends. As shown in this print, a kawadoko seating area is typically large enough to hold an entire party of people, and in this case, even accommodates a drunken dancer. According to tradition, a wealthy merchant in Kyoto started this style of dining in the Momoyama period (1574-1599) to entertain his guests in the middle of a notoriously hot summer. Illuminated by lanterns, people enjoy dinner in the cool river breeze amid the soothing sounds of flowing water. The Kamo River, depicted here, runs through the center of Kyoto. The tradition of kawadoko is still popular today with many tourists braving Kyoto's summer heat in order to enjoy the experience.