Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Vesper bell, Mii Temple (三井晩鐘 Mii banshō)

Maker

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重 (1797–1858, b. in Edo, Japan)
Takenouchi Magohachi 竹内孫八 (1833-1850

Title

Vesper bell, Mii Temple (三井晩鐘 Mii banshō)
from the series Eight views of Ōmi (近江八景之内 Ōmi hakkei no uchi)

Period

Edo Period

Year

ca. 1835

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

ink and colors

Supports

Geography

Place Made: Japan

Dimensions

Horizontal ōbant: 24.8 x 37.2 cm (9 3/4 x 14 5/8 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Inscription Text/Poem: 思ふその　
暁ちきる　
はしめそと　
まつきく三井の　
入あいのかね
Translation: I think that dawn has made a vow
to wait outside
until it has heard
the evening bell of Mii Temple

(Forrer, Hiroshige, cat. 68)

Signature: 広重画
Translation: Pictured by Hiroshige

Seals: Publisher's seal | Hoeido han; censor's seal | kiwame

Marks: Inscribed number verso, bottom right corner:8554

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mrs. Gustav Radeke

Object Number

20.1278

Type

Exhibition History

The Road Less Traveled
Edo's Nakasendō
Nov 09, 2024 – May 04, 2025

Label copy

The Nakasendō followed the banks of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake. Believed to be home of the goddess Benzaiten, the lake was named for the musical instrument she favored—the lute, or biwa. Hiroshige’s prints show the lake from two different vantage points. On the left, mountains overshadow it, while on the right, its size is highlighted by the line of boats disappearing in the distance.

Mountains and Rivers
Scenic Views of Japan
Jul 10, 2009 – Nov 01, 2009
Meisho
Depictions of Famous Places in Japan
Jun 16, 1995 – Oct 10, 1995
Meisho-e
Famous Places in Japanese Prints by Hiroshige (Part I)
Oct 02, 1987 – Jan 24, 1988

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重 (1797–1858, b. in Edo, Japan)
Takenouchi Magohachi 竹内孫八 (1833-1850
Edo, Japan), publisher
Vesper bell, Mii Temple (三井晩鐘 Mii banshō); from the series Eight views of Ōmi (近江八景之内 Ōmi hakkei no uchi), ca. 1835
Polychrome woodblock print (nishiki-e)
Horizontal ōbant: 24.8 x 37.2 cm (9 3/4 x 14 5/8 inches)
Gift of Mrs. Gustav Radeke 20.1278

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