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Introduction

Meisho

Depictions of Famous Places in Japan
June 16 - October 10, 1995

Meisho, or famous places, derive their significance from Japanese literary and religious associations described in the form of highly conventionalized poetic attributes. Sites of this type, originally located in the vicinity of the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara, were painted as early as the Heian period (794-1185). By the Edo period (1600-1868), however, the term meisho in popular culture had come to refer to sites that could be visited for relaxation and pleasure. In teh early nineteenth century, landscapes and cityscapes that depicted such places became an important part of the woodblock printing (ukiyo-e) tradition. Although Hokusai (1760-1849) was one of the first great practitioners of this art, it is Hiroshige's (1797-1858) extensive and innovative creations that characterize the genre. This exhibition of Hiroshige's evocative and mood-filled views is composed of selections from several of his well-known city and landscape series, as well as the complete set of Eight Views of Lake Biwa.

Selected Objects

Utagawa Hiroshige

Evening snow, Hira (Hira no bosetsu), ca. 1835

Utagawa Hiroshige

Clearing weather, Awazu (Awazu no seiran), ca. 1835

Utagawa Hiroshige

The hundred thousand-tsubo plain, Susaki, Fukagawa (Fukagawa susaki jumantsubo), 1857

Utagawa Hiroshige

Sakasai Ferry (Sakasai no watashi), 1857.2

Utagawa Hiroshige

Autumn moon, Ishiyama (Ishiyama shugetsu), ca. 1835

Utagawa Hiroshige

Evening glow, Seta (Seta no sekisho), 1800s

Utagawa Hiroshige

Returning sails, Yabase (Yabase kihan), ca. 1835

Utagawa Hiroshige

Mino Promontory, Bungo Province, 1856.4

Utagawa Hiroshige

Mount Haruna in snow, Kozuke Province, no. 26, 1853.8

Utagawa Hiroshige

Chofu Jewel River, Musashi Province, 1857.11

Utagawa Hiroshige

Toi Jewel River, Settsu Province, 1857

Utagawa Hiroshige

Cherry trees in full bloom, Arashiyama (Arashiyama manka), ca. 1834

Utagawa Hiroshige

Vesper bell, Mii Temple (Mii no bansho), ca. 1835

Utagawa Hiroshige

Willow at the Exit from the Shimabara Pleasure Quarter (Shimabara deguchi no yanagi), ca. 1834

Utagawa Hiroshige

Descending geese, Katata (Katata rakugan), ca. 1835

Utagawa Hiroshige

Night rain at Karasaki (Karasaki Yau), ca. 1835

More objects +

RISD Museum

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