Item from the Mokuhankan Flea Market

From '53 Stations of Tokaido' - Taisho Era

Size: 26.0cm by 39.0cm (10.24 in by 15.35 in) | Enlargement | Shipping Code: [L] ?

Designer: Ando Hiroshige

Era: Taisho | Currency: $ / £ / €

Price: ¥ 15,000$ 105.00£ 78.50€ 91.75

  

Description: This is a print from what is perhaps the single most famous series of Japanese woodblock prints ever produced - "The 53 Stations of the Tokaido", designed by Hiroshige in the 1830s.

Various reproductions of the series have been published, and this is from a set consists of 55 Oban size prints most likely published during Taisho period, 1912-1926.

Although the publisher and other specific details remain unknown, the print quality is great, with fine details and delicately applied colors. Some of the prints have light wrinkles and slight toning, but it is generally in good condition.

Miya station

Miya was one of the largest stations along the Tokaido. This is Uma-oi, a horse chasing scene of the Shinto festival held on May 5th at Atsuta Shrine, dedicated to praying for a good harvest.

It is obvious that two groups - in each group a horse and people running alongside - are competing. In either group, two men are running before the horse and a few men holding a stick seemingly to drive the horse to run faster. The object being pulled at the end of ropes are not drawn and we wonder what they are? Are those objects Mikoshi, portable shrines?

The tall shrine gate drawn on the right is very impressive and makes the composition very attractive. To portray this night scene, Hiroshige used black for sky and ground with bokashi gradations and added bonfires. Locals and travelers are observing the fascinating event.

This must have been a very animated and vigorous but dangerous event - and is not held anymore.

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