Two Utagawa Hiroshige Woodblock Prints.

Color woodblock prints on paper.

The first depicting Tsuchiyama from the series The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō, portraying travelers moving through a wooded landscape under softly modulated atmospheric conditions, the composition balancing the stillness of nature with the quiet movement of figures along the road. Hiroshige’s sensitivity to transient effects—mist, rain, and shifting light—transforms the scene into a poetic evocation of travel, where landscape and human presence merge into a contemplative experience. His treatment of space and rhythm invites the viewer into a temporal journey, capturing the fleeting beauty of nature while suggesting a deeper continuity of life along the historic route.

The second depicting Araimachi (Arai) from the series The Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaidō, a collaboration between Utagawa Hiroshige and Keisai Eisen (circa 1835–1838), presenting a tranquil river scene animated by a lone boatman guiding a raft across still waters beneath a subdued sky. The composition exemplifies the aesthetic of mono no aware, where the quiet interaction between human activity and the natural environment conveys a sense of impermanence and lyrical calm. The restrained palette and clarity of design, combined with refined carving and printing techniques, reflect the high level of craftsmanship achieved during the golden age of ukiyo-e, while the scene itself embodies a profound harmony between movement and stillness.

{Approximate dimensions: Tsuchiyama H 8 1/2 inches x W 13 3/8 inches (21.6 x 34 cm); Araimachi H 8 1/2 inches x W 13 1/2 inches (21.6 x 34.3 cm)}

For additional information, please contact the Asian Art Department.