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Introduction

Meisho

Depictions of Famous Places in Japan
June 4 - August 29, 2004

Meisho (“famous places”) are locations celebrated for their natural beauty and rich religious and literary associations. The tradition of painting such sites — originally in and around the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara — is known from as early as the Heian period (794-1185). By the Edo period (1603-1867), the term meisho was used popularly to refer to locales visited for relaxation and pleasure. City dwellers flocked to suburban areas for restful outings, while the practice of traveling through Japan’s most spectacular scenery also became widespread. The early 19th century saw the proliferation of landscape and cityscape subjects within traditional woodblock printing (ukiyo-e).

Two great printmakers are associated with the rising landscape genre: Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) and Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858). Hokusai’s Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji (actually 46 in number) was the groundbreaking series (ca. 1829-33). The Japanese have always regarded Mt. Fuji as most sacred. This volcanic mountain with its characteristic conical form is still classified as active. Hiroshige’s Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō followed in about 1833-34. The Tōkaidō (Eastern Sea Route) connected Edo (modern Tokyo), the seat of the shōgun (military dictator) with the ancient capital of Kyoto, where the emperor continued to reside. Tradition has it that Hiroshige traveled the Tōkaidō in 1832 with the delegation bringing the shōgun’s annual spring tribute to the emperor.

In this exhibition, prints from sets by Hokusai and Hiroshige may stand independently or may be contrasted with various renditions of the same or similar subjects. These engaging images and the printed books in the case at the center of the room illustrate the popularity of landscapes and cityscapes in 19th-century Japan.

Selected Objects

Katsushika Hokusai

Ejiri, Suruga Province (Shunshu ejiri), ca. 1829-1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

Kawasaki: Rokugō Ferry (Kawasaki rokugō watashibune), ca. 1833

Katsushika Hokusai

Matsuchizan, spring 1802

Utagawa Hiroshige

Mie River, Yokkaichi (Yokkaichi miegawa), ca. 1833

Katsushika Hokusai

Surugadai in the Eastern Capital (Tōto Sundai), ca. 1830-1831

Utagawa Hiroshige

Toyokawa Bridge, Yoshida (Yoshida toyokawabashi), ca. 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

The sea at Satta, Suruga Province, 1858

Utagawa Hiroshige

Sakasai Ferry (Sakasai no watashi), 1857.2

Katsushika Hokusai

Fine wind, clear weather (Gaifū kaisei), ca. 1829-1833

Katsushika Hokusai

Under the Great Wave, off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), ca. 1829-1833

Sadahiro Utagawa

Yokkaichi, late 1830's

Utagawa Hiroshige

Toi Jewel River, Settsu Province, 1857

Utagawa Hiroshige

Yabu Lane at the Foot of Atago (Atagoshita yabukōji), 1857, 12th month

Utagawa Hiroshige

Hodogaya: Shinmachi Bridge (Hodogaya shinmachi-bashi), ca. 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

Cherry trees in full bloom, Arashiyama (Arashiyama manka), ca. 1834
No Image Available

Katsushika Hokusai

One Hundred Views of Mt. Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei), Vol 1, 1875

Utagawa Hiroshige

Kawaguchi Ferry: Zenkō Temple, 1850

Utagawa Hiroshige

Hodogaya: Field and mountain scenery on the Kanazawa Road (Hodogaya kanazawa kaido sanya fukei) (Sohitsu gojusan tsugi), 1854.7

Utagawa Hiroshige

Kawasaki; subtitled Ferry, Rokugo River (Kawasaki; rokugogawa funawatashi), 1854.7

Katsushika Hokusai

Yoshida on the Tokaido (Tokaido Yoshida), ca. 1829-1833

Katsushika Hokusai

Kajikazawa in Kai Province (Koshu kajikazawa), ca. 1829-1833

More objects +

Exhibition Checklist

Meisho : Depictions of Famous Places in Japan

June 4 - August 29, 2004
View Checklist PDF

RISD Museum

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