The Suruga District in the Eastern Capital Possibly 1858
utagawa_hiroshige
minneapolisinstituteofart
print, ink, color-on-paper
water colours
japan
handmade artwork painting
ink
color-on-paper
illustrative and welcoming imagery
wedding around the world
illustrative and welcoming
watercolour bleed
watercolour illustration
cartoon carciture
cartoon theme
watercolor
"The Suruga District in the Eastern Capital" is a woodblock print by the renowned Japanese artist Utagawa Hiroshige, dating back to possibly 1858. The vertical ōban print showcases a bustling street scene in Edo (present-day Tokyo), featuring numerous figures and detailed architectural elements. Hiroshige's masterful use of color and line creates a sense of depth and movement, capturing the vibrant energy of Edo's urban life. The print is an excellent example of the ukiyo-e style, known for its focus on everyday life and popular culture, with intricate details and a strong emphasis on visual storytelling. This print is held in the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
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Here, Hiroshige depicted a street scene in Suruga-chø, near Nihonbashi. The building at the corner, as identified on the indigo shop curtains and the wooden board, is the famous Echigoya textile shop. A straw rope (shimenawa) festooned with fern fronds hangs from the building's joist-a traditional New Year's decoration. Two men in green robes are manzai dancers who perform a comical dance-and-song routine. Two women holding guitar-like instruments are torioi singers. Entering from the right is a daikagura troupe whose members perform the auspicious "lion dance" and a variety of acrobatic feats. With all these street performers strolling around, the streets in Edo on New Year's Day were undoubtedly very lively.
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