Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. The interior of an inn shows an inner courtyard and the rooms adjoining it. In the courtyard are a stone lantern and a tree growing to the height of the roof. In the room to the right, three geisha get ready in their toilette to entertain guests. On the left side, a guest reclines while the inn staff serves food. Further to the left, another guest is walking on the outer walkway, likely coming from a bath.
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. A road lined with tall pine trees cuts through vast rice fields, a crescent moon hangs overhead hidden slightly by the trees. In the foreground, one man beats the other with a stick, the print title tells us their names are Yajirobei and Kitahachi. Yaji and Kita are the main characters of a popular comical novel titled Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige (abbreviated to Hizakurige) written by Jippenshu Ikku. The book recounts the two men’s misadventures along the Tokaido road. In this scene Yaji has mistaken Kita for a fox spirit or Kitsune, which are known in Japanese folklore to be powerful tricksters.
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. Entering from the left is a ferryboat filled with peasants. Past the ferryboat is the larger Daimyo boat marketed by flags, crests, and a screen indicating the Daimyo’s status and domain. On the other side of the water, coming from the right side of the composition, is a village in the distance surrounded by pines and hilly terrain.
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. Looking down from the hill a village and temple entrance can be seen by the water. A line of ships leads the eye all the way to the opposite shore where the white silhouette of Fuji rises above the hills.
Nishiki-e (Multicolored print), ink and color on paper. Residents of Edo mingle on the open lawn surrounded by pines and cherry blossoms on Asuka hill. Just past the park is the shops of Edo and Mt. Fuji framed by the trees in the foreground. The compsoition is divided by the gradient blue sky and the vibrant green grass. The smooth contour of the hill seperates the two sections. Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune planted cherry blossoms and opened the hill for the citizen of Edo. Later in 1873 Asuka would become one of the first public parks established in Meiji Japan. Site located in Oji, Kita, Tokyo.
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. Fishermen line the softly sloped shores of Tama river. Willow tree branches blow delicately in the wind along with sparse river grasses. In the back the full moon hangs over the scene. In other versions of this print the moon is rendered with mica which is a metallic pigment that creates a striking shimmer in the print. The Tama river ran along Edo’s western border and in opposition to the Sumida that ran through the city and had metropolitan associations, the Tama had more rustic, poetic associations. It evokes images of the empty Musashino moor and the autumn moon. Poem signed Asanoyadō Massugu: The image of the moon in the autumn night which is luminous as day/ lingers on the Tama stream as the river lingers by the Twin Pines. (Translation by Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. A sheer cliff face topped with pine trees in the foreground creates an immediate and strong composition. This monolith feature creates a doorway to view the bay leading to the shore of Honmoku where cherry blossoms can be seen blooming in a bright patch of pink at the base of Mt. Fuji. Fuji is stark white outlined by a fukibokashi gradient of red. Site located in Honmoku, Naka, Yokohama.
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. As mentioned in the title, the horse fair is depicted. Horses, owners, and buyers stand amongst the green-yellow grass along the road. Father back under the tall tree in the center of the composition, a crowd of horse brokers gathers. The archive print is the second version of two that exist. This print does not include the background mountain present in the first version.
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. Travelers rest by one of the two twisted ancient pine trees that hang over the water. Behind the group of travelers, a small stone pagoda is framed in the curve of one of the trees. The title of the print indicates that this was once the site for the irises at Yatsuhashi which is a reference to The Tales of Ise. In the story the unnamed protagonist encounters an eight plank bridge over a river surrounded by irises and he composes a romantic poem.
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. Two boats are moored at Shiba Bay along the right side. Clouds drift close to the horizon line and allow the silhouette of the trees to stand out. The orange glow of the clouds indicate the approaching evening. Buildings line the banks of the bay on the left side. Poem: Dead leaves on Gotenyama Hill/ Are blown up the the sky by the wind./ Fishing boats are scattered away/ On the bay of Eo at Shibaura.
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. Geese descend down to the marshy land of Haneda. At the center of the composition in a tree filled grove a shrine is marked by the torii gate at the end of the grassy path. Two figures can be seen walking away from the shrine. In the distance sails can be seen just past the marsh grasses. The area depicted in this print would become the site for Tokyo’s Haneda airport today. Poem: Over the marsh at Haneda/ Wild geese are descending/ Like a ladder from the sky (Translation by Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. Ships dock in groups near the shore in the foreground, alongside a village by the water. Some of the sailing ships have their sails up and are moving out to open water leading the eye back to the various ships sailing in the misty water going all the way back to the horizon. To the left side, there is a grouping of mountains.
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. In the foreground small boats are pulled onto the shore along the Okitsu River. Alongside the two bats are fishing nets hung up, not yet in use. Sailing ships travel down the wide bend in the river, the sails completely unfurled. In the back Fuji is surrounded by wafting blue and red clouds.
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. Three women pass under the torii gate of Enoshima shrine on Enoshima island, a popular tourist spot even today. The three women are dressed in matching Yukata likely provided by the inn they are staying in. The building just off to the left could be said inn. Out in the water, boats ferry people between Enoshima and the mainland. In the distance Fuji sits framed by the torii gate. Site located in Fujisawa, Kanagawa.
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. Depicted is the Ikegami Honmonji temple that was completed in 1282 and founded by Buddhist priest and philosopher Nichiren. The site is thought to be where Nichiren passed away. This is referenced in the accompanying poem that mentions the founder going to Nirvana. The landscape is rendered in a series of dark and washed out blues creating a misty poetic quality. The red temple building stands out among the forest grove it is settled in. At the foot of the hill is a small town occupied by temple visitors and vendors. Poem signed Shunkutei Tareyasu : By virtue of the truth of the Eight Scrolls,/ One prolongs one's age./ The founder of the temple went to Nirvana/ as the evening bell was striking. (Translation by Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. Cherry Blossoms line the banks of the Koganei River. Travelers traverse the neighboring road and cross the bridge. Some have stopped to picnic and take in the view on rest platforms under the cherry blossoms on the right side. The horizon glows a faint orange and the accompanying poem reveals that it is sunset. Poem signed Taihaido Donsho : The glow of sunset at the end of a cloudy spring day/ Foretells tomorrow's weather in Koganei,/ Where cherry blossoms are in full bloom. (Translation by Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)
Nishiki-e (Multicolored Print), ink and color on paper. The sloping hillsides of Asuka are covered in sparse trees and white snow. Travelers walk on the snow covered path toward the village tucked into the bottom left corner. The print is speckled by snow that continues to fall. Poem signed Shōyōan Kōjin (or Takahito): The snow falling heavily in the dusk not only covers up signs / that warn against breaking branches of the cherry trees on Asuka Hill, but breaks down the branches, as well. (Translation by Cleveland Museum of Art)