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Introduction

Tokaido

The Lure of the Open Road in Nineteenth-Century Japan
June 23 - September 10, 2000

In his series of woodblock prints entitled “Fifty-Three Stages of the Tōkaidō,” Hiroshige captures the myths and realities of the travel boom in 19th-century Japan. At this time, the notion of traveling caught hold of the popular imagination, and thousands of men, women, and children set out to sightsee and make pilgrimages, often combining both activities. Most travelers walked, but those who could afford it journeyed by horse or palanquin.

The Tōkaidō (Eastern Sea Route) was the most heavily traveled highway in Japan. The government regulated the road through a system of post stations and inspection barriers. Designed as the main artery between the great cities of Edo (modern Tokyo) and Kyoto, the Tōkaidō traversed many towns and sites of historic interest, scenic beauty, and religious importance. It is assumed that Hiroshige designed these prints after having himself toured the route in 1832-33 as a member of an official procession from Edo to Kyoto.

This series of scenes along the Tōkaidō was extremely popular both for its subject and for the artist’s innovative style. By combining diverse landscape images with visual narratives of ordinary human activities, often humorously and always with compassionate understanding, the artist gives each station a distinct character and creates a sense of space, movement, and atmosphere that captivates and draws his audience into the images. Walk with Hiroshige’s travelers through this unique vision of the Tōkaidō and experience what its travelers encountered along the way.

Selected Objects

Japanese, Japan

Textile length, ca. 1900
No Image Available

Japanese

Kago, ca. 1870-89

Utagawa Hiroshige

Shinagawa: Sunrise (Shinagawa hinode), ca. 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

Ferryboats, Arai (Arai watashibune no zu), ca. 1833

Japanese

Geta, ca. 1900

Utagawa Hiroshige

Fuchū: Abe River (Fuchū abegawa), ca. 1833

Takenouchi Magohachi, publisher

Numazu: Twilight (Numazu tasogare zu), ca. 1833

Tsuruya Kiemon, publisher

Fujieda: Changing porters and horses (Fujieda jinba tsugitate), ca. 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

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

Japanese

Geta, ca. 1900

Utagawa Hiroshige

Horse fair in the fourth month, Chiryu (Chiryu shuka umaichi), ca. 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

Nihonbashi: Morning View (Nihonbashi asa no kei), ca. 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

Fujisawa: The Yūgyōji Temple (Fujisawa Yūgyōji), ca. 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

Inn with serving maids, Akasaka (Akasaka ryosha shofu no zu), ca. 1833

Japanese

Geta, ca. 1900

Utagawa Hiroshige

Nissaka: Sayo Mountain Pass (Nissaka sayononakayama), ca. 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

Scene at the boundary marker, Fujikawa (Fujikawa bohana no zu), ca. 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

Posting house with famous specialty, Kusatsu (Kusatsu meibutsu tateba), ca. 1833

Takenouchi Magohachi, publisher

Mariko: Famous Teahouse (Mariko meibutsu chamise), ca. 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

Desolate winter, Hamamatsu (Hamamatsu fuyugare no zu), ca. 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

Women soliciting travelers, Goyu (Goyu tabibito tomeonna), ca. 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

Famous Arimatsu tied-dyed cloth, Narumi (Narumi meibutsu arimatsu shibori), ca. 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige

Festival at Atsuta Shrine, Miya (Miya atsuta shinji), ca. 1833

More objects +

Exhibition Checklist

Tokaido : The Lure of the Open Road in Nineteenth-Century Japan

June 23 - September 10, 2000
View Checklist PDF

RISD Museum

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