Seventeen views of Edo

View From Massaki of Suijin Shrine, Uchigawa Inlet, and Sekiya.

The views are prints by Utagawa Hiroshige from a series, One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (1856–58), which actually contains 119 different views in all. The ones I’ve chosen stand out for their striking formality, the hints of activities taking place outside the frame of the picture, and the contrast of distant views with extreme close-ups. The series ends on a metaphysical note with foxes gathering at night attended by “kitsunebi” ghost flames.

Hachiman Shrine in Ichigaya.

Yoroi Ferry, Koami-cho.

Mannen Bridge in Fukagawa.

Suido Bridge and the Surugadai Quarter.

The Sanno Festival Procession at Kojimachi itchome.

The Ferry at Haneda and the Benten Shrine.

The City Flourishing, the Tanabata Festival.

Ushimachi in Takanawa.

Moon Viewing.

Naito Shinjuku in Yotsuya.

“Moon Pine” in Ueno.

Asakusa Ricefields and Torinomachi Festival.

Fukagawa Susaki and Jumantsubo.

The Takata Riding Grounds.

Horikiri Iris Garden.

Kitsunebi on New Year’s Night under the Enoki Tree near Oji.

Previously on { feuilleton }
• The art of Yuhan Ito, 1882–1951
• Eight Views of Cherry Blossom
• Fourteen views of Himeji Castle
• One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji
• The art of Kato Teruhide, 1936–2015
• Fifteen ghosts and a demon
• Hiroshi Yoshida’s India
• The art of Hasui Kawase, 1883–1957
• The art of Paul Binnie
• Nineteen views of Zen gardens
• Ten views of the Itsukushima Shrine
• Charles Bartlett’s prints
• Sixteen views of Meoto Iwa
• Waves and clouds
• Yoshitoshi’s ghosts
• Japanese moons
• The Hell Courtesan
• Nocturnes