Utagawa Hiroshige I – Mount Atago in Shiba

Utagawa Hiroshige's woodblock print presents a tranquil view of Mount Atago in Shiba, from his celebrated series Famous Places in Edo. The scene is set during spring, when cherry blossoms bloom in full glory around a traditional Japanese temple. The temple structure, painted in vivid pinks and teal, dominates the scene and is rendered with architectural precision. It stands as a symbol of cultural reverence and seasonal beauty.

Visitors, depicted in small scale, walk leisurely among the temple grounds, their presence reinforcing the majesty and scale of the setting. The framing of the scene with blossoming trees and a gentle body of water in the background adds a meditative calm. The careful interplay of soft and dark tones across trees, architecture, and sky creates visual balance and emotional depth.

Hiroshige’s signature mastery lies in his use of color and atmospheric detail to convey not just a location, but a feeling—here, a quiet celebration of springtime's arrival and the timeless tranquility of sacred spaces. This print serves as both a historical document of Edo-era life and a poetic reflection on nature's fleeting beauty.

• Utagawa Hiroshige I, est. 1840-1845
• Approximate Size: 36cm x 24cm
• This woodblockprint is antique and is sold as seen in the pictures. Please be aware that the colors on your screen may differ from natural light.