Utagawa (Ando) Hiroshige, "Minosaki (Promontory) in Bungo Province"

Bungo Province is in what is now Oita Prefecture. This woodblock print shows a promontory overlooking a dock for boats. The distinctive composition and colors in this print are quintessential to Hiroshige’s artistic style. Hiroshige’s “Sixty-odd Provinces” series of prints showcased famous views from Japan’s 68 provinces, an administrative delineation that preceded the current prefecture system instituted during the Meiji period starting in 1868.

Series: Pictures of Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces
Date 1856
Size: Oban
Publisher: Koshimuraya Heisuke (Koshihei)
Condition: Small binding holes on right, light mounting evidence verso, otherwise excellent color and condition

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) is the most important Japanese artist to emerge from Edo period ukiyo-e. Hiroshige is a widely recognized master of Japanese woodblock prints whose works have had a tremendous influence on artistic currents throughout the world. His woodblock prints are highly coveted by collectors and museums around the world.