The Steel Bridge at Yokohama 1870

Utagawa Sadahide's "The Steel Bridge at Yokohama" is a vivid woodblock print depicting the bustling scene of the newly built Yokohama bridge in 1870. The print showcases the modernization of Japan through its depiction of Western-style carriages and clothing worn by the figures on the bridge. This artwork exemplifies the popular "ukiyo-e" genre, with its focus on everyday life, and highlights Sadahide's talent in capturing the dynamism and detail of urban life in 19th-century Japan. The bridge stands as a symbol of Japan's rapid embrace of Western technology and a bridge between traditional and modern ways of life. The piece can be viewed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.