東海道五十三次　箱根　夜中松明とり|Hakone

Utagawa Hiroshige

ca. 1848–49 · Woodblock print; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

In this dramatic night scene, the bearers carry their client in a palanquin, accompanied by torchbearers to light the dangerous and extremely difficult mountain pass. The image of the Hakone mountain seen here in the Reisho series is strikingly different from that of the Hoeidō Tōkaidō series. In this version, human activities take place in the triangular space at the left lower corner that is hemmed in by tall trees and mountains. By contrast, in the Hoeidō print, the panoramic vista of Lake Ashi and towering mountains is open before your eyes.

Artist

Utagawa Hiroshige

Date

ca. 1848–49

Medium

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

The Francis Lathrop Collection, Purchase, Frederick C. Hewitt Fund, 1911